Westborough Team to be Honored at Fenway

In recognition of their outstanding Jimmy Fund fundraising efforts, Westborough’s 10-year-old Little League A All Star Team will be honored at Fenway Park on Sunday, Sept. 18 during the Red Sox game against the Toranto Blue Jays. The team, coached by the Westborough Little League (WLL) President Craig Nichols, received complimentary tickets and will be acknowledged on the Jumbotron.

In total, the team raised nearly $30,000 over the summer. Among the fundraising events were strawberry shortcake and face painting booths at the , a jewelry night at , a at and multiple coin can collection days. In addition, they hosted a cocktail pizza party at , had Jimmy Fund nights at and Tavolino and held a Mens Night Out at with a raffle.

In addition, all of the players had personal websites on the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund website where family and friends could make donations by credit card. This effort earned the boys title of Top Fundraising Team in all of New England. Three of the boys (Vincent Pascale, Ryan Nichols and Domenic Casparriello) raised over $2,000 individually winning them a baseball autographed by Red Sox player Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Vincent Pascale also won grand prize as the Top Individual Fundraiser earning him a huge package of gifts from Dana Farber including a chance to take batting practice at Fenway.  

Dr. Jim Levine, father of team player Zach Levine, arranged through former Boston Red Sox player, Mike Andrews, current Director of the DFCI-Jimmy Fund. According to Coach Nichols, “This was an eye-opening experience for all of the players and the coaching staff who made the visit. We thought there was no better way to teach the boys why we were making such an effort to raise money for those less fortunate. The boys learned how the Jimmy Fund was started and its connection to the Red Sox as their premier charity. They learned about cancer and how many children and adults get afflicted with this terrible disease. The visit to the DFCI will be something the boys will never forget.”

At DFCI, the boys met a fellow 10-year-old Little Leaguer named Joshua Nute, who explained what it is like to live with cancer. Learning that Joshua has to limit his physical activity while in treatment, the Westborough boys invited Joshua to join the team for various activities. “He is a true picture of courage and determination and he continues to battle a personal fight against this disease,” Coach Nichols said.

Josh was invited to one of the boys’ All Star games to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. He took infield practice with the team prior to the game and sat with the them in the dugout the entire game. “Of course we won,” said Coach Nichols, “and Josh became our instant good luck charm.”

Coach Nichols feels fortunate to have coached this “rare group of terrific baseball players in WLL since they were in t-ball at age 7.” He has spent countless hours on the field teaching the boys the game. More importantly, though, he has taught them how to be respectful and have fun. “I know I am blessed to have such a great group of boys on and off the field. This class of fifth and sixth graders are very talented athletes and tremendously respectful kids,” he said. 

Together with assistant coaches Andy Connors, Dan Flahive, Peter Casparriello, Glen Pascale, and Leo Melanson, Coach Nichols said, “We have been able to instill a winning attitude in a very talented group of baseball players while teaching them to be respectful and follow good sportsmanship. The competitive spirit and drive to succeed the boys showed was extremely evident in our finishing first in New England as the top fundraising team.”

The team roster includes Domenic Casparriello, Dylan Connors, Kevin Flahive, Jake Hughes, Joey Kurtz, Zach Levine, Jack McGinn, Brian Melanson, Ryan Nichols, Devin Parent, Vincent Pascale, Will Schiffman and Tyler Stott.

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