Strike Out Autism Challenge Coming Up This Weekend

The Frulio family of Bayville knows the ups and downs of autism all too well.

Jerry and his wife Jo-Dee have been dealing with the illness ever since their son Dayton was born eight years ago. He was practically non-verbal at age three, when he was diagnosed.

But rather than feeling sorry for themselves, theyr have funneled their energies into promoting awareness of the condition and raising money for school programs and research.

This weekend is the sixth annual "Strike Out Autism Challenge." The event will feature 42 varsity baseball teams from Ocean and Monmouth counties playing at a number of locations.

"Each site will have somewhere that people can make donations," said Frulio, who is a teacher at Central Regional High School in Bayville. "Of course, some sites will go over and above to make this event truly special."

Central Regional will have vendors, food, bounce houses, a game truck, pony rides, a petting zoo and facepainting at from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Veterans Park in Bayville. A double-header is planned.

Some of the key games this week include:

Toms River South - three games featuring all three Toms River Schools...TR East vs. Williamstown ; TR North vs. CBA (marquee game), and TR South vs. Donovan Catholic. The Toms River South site will also have many events and kid- friendly activities hosted by the freshman class.

Wall (at the Municipal Complex) - Wall vs. Manasquan

Jackson Liberty - Jackson Liberty vs. Jackson Memorial

RBC (at Count Basie Field) - Red Bank Catholic - vs. Barnegat. Jason Groome - star pitcher and maybe the number on select in June's Major League baseball draft is expected to start. RBC coach Buddy Hausman expects a crowd in the thousands, Frulio said.

"It's a big day for us and a big day for many people in the Ocean-Monmouth area as well as their families," Frulio said. "I consciously try to match teams up on the schedule that will produce competitive games among schools that don't normally have a chance to play each other."

Proceeds from the event will go to various autism charities and academic programs in Ocean and Monmouth County schools, he said.

"We purchase various items - iPads, art supplies, adaptive physical education items, other classroom tools - that help these school programs directly in many ways, Frulio said.