Third Annual Strike Out Autism Baseball Challenge Slated For Saturday

The Central Regional Autism Awareness Club will host its third annual Strike Out Autism Baseball Challenge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday , at Veterans Park and the Central Regional High School Varsity baseball field in Bayville.

Central Regional will play Freehold Township at 11:30 a.m. and Southern Regional High School will go up against Mater Dei at 3 p.m.

The Central Regional event is one of nine sites that are hosting the event this year, said event organizer Jerry Frulio.

“There are a total of 36 participating schools this year,” Frulio said on the group’s Facebook page. Games will also be played this year at Toms River South, Jackson Memorial, St. Rose, Howell, Wall, Ocean, St. John Vianney, and Raritan High Schools. If you can’t get to Central, show your support and catch a game or two at a site that’s closer to you.”

The Central event is free and will also feature food, music, vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses and face painting. The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry is holding a food drive at the event. Visitors are asked to bring non-perishable canned or boxed food items, he said.

“Come join us to enjoy the many things our event offers as well as some great baseball,“ Frulio said. “Help us to spread awareness for the fastest growing developmental disorder in our country.”

Event T-shirts will be on sale at every site for $12. The rain date is Sunday.