Buddy Baseball Newsletter
August 2019
Hello Buddy Baseball Fans, 
 
Thanks to the Tampa Bay Rays for hosting Buddy Baseball and the Miracle League of St. Petersburg for the Rays Baseball Magic Clinic on July 27th at Tropicana Field. Home of the Tampa Bay Rays. We had 50 players with special needs participate in fielding, pitching and hitting drills. We had a game on the field and a visit to the Touch Tank to touch the Manta Rays. We finished the day with pizza for lunch and everyone received a gift from the Rays. Thanks to all the buddies and volunteers who assisted the players, the Eckerd College coaches who conducted the clinic and the Tampa Bay Rays for hosting the event.
 
Our fall season is almost here. Make sure you register as soon as possible. We may need to limit our number of players with special needs if we don't have enough Buddies sign up. So, there is a chance we will close the registration early. Sign up now!
  
Good luck to those going back to school! Please help us spread the word about Buddy Baseball to your friends.  We are in need of many more buddies.
 
Mark your calendars for our Meet and Greet on Saturday, September 21st.  Opening Day will be Saturday, September 28th.  
 
Russ Oberbroeckling
Executive Director


Rays Baseball Magic Clinic
Our players taking hitting instructions from the coaches from Eckerd College. All of the kids had a great time!  Thanks again Tampa Bay Rays!
First Pitch
Matthew Mezzei on the Sharks threw out the first pitch at the Rays game on Sunday, August 4th. His sister Michaela was the catcher. Matthew is 12 years old and has played every season since he was eight years old. When he grows up, he wants to be a doctor to help people stay healthy.
Registration
Registration is open for our Fall season. Registration deadline is Friday August 23, 2019, 6:00 pm. To ensure that we have enough buddies for our players, we are initially limiting registration to players with special needs. After we reach the limit, we will close player registration and you will be put on a waiting list. Register now!
 
Season Dates:
Meet and Greet - Saturday, September 21st
Season - Saturdays, September 28th - November 9th       
 
Financial assistance is available
 
 
Player Spotlight -  Nico Procel
NicoProcel
Nico has played Buddy Baseball for five seasons and is 13 years old. He attends the Pepin Academy. His favorite musicians are Imagine Dragons and Skillet. When he grows up, he wants to be a movie maker and wants to make a movie starring Imagine Dragons. Nico's favorite thing about summer is going to Georgia to see his grandparents. He has an older brother and sister, a dog named Julio and a cat named Simba.
Buddy Spotlight -  Emily Oliver
Emily Oliver
Emily will be 13 in September and attends Trinity School for Children. Her favorite food is mac and cheese and her favorite pizza topping is cheese. If Emily had a $1000 she would buy clothes. Her most prized possession is her dog. Emily would like to meet Chip and Joanna Gaines and wants to be an interior designer when she grows up.
C oach Spotlight
Kathy Kantrowitz
Kathy Kantrowitz
This fall season will be Kathy's fourth season as a coach for the Tigers. Her son, Zack, started playing Buddy Baseball in the spring of 2012 and the family has been participating ever since. You can't miss her husband of 34 years, Scott, as he roams the field taking pictures at the games when Zack is playing.

Kathy may have been born in Georgia, but lived in Brandon, Florida from the time she could walk until she graduated from Brandon High School. She received her BS in Psychology from Florida State University. Following graduation, Kathy and Scott stayed in north Florida, where they both worked several years for Leon ARC in residential and community support services. Relocating back to the Plant City area to be closer to family, Kathy now works for Hillsborough County Public Schools in tech support.

Kathy loves books, jigsaw puzzles, Marvel movies, and all things HARRY POTTER! Go Ravenclaw!   "We eagerly await the arrival of each new season, enjoy the games, and relish the growth of the players and the comradery of those who share a common bond. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday!"

Parent Spotlight
Eric and Erika Costantino
Eric and Ericka Costantino
The Costantino 's have been participating in Buddy Baseball for about three years. They have been married for 16 years. Their son EJ is a player, he has an older sister Emma and they have a chocolate Lab named Charlie. Eric is a National Accounts Manager for Sun Paints & Coatings and Ericka works for Metro Diner in the accounting department. They like to spend time at the beach and in the pool, but if weather doesn't co-operate they like to go skating and bowling. They also like spending time with family. One of their favorite memories from Buddy Baseball is when EJ held the flag for the National Anthem. "He was so proud of himself and we were so proud of him. We also love when he's up to bat and seeing his excitement when he hits the ball. Buddy Baseball has been so good for EJ and for our family. We have made great friends and we have watched EJ progress every season."
Sponsor Spotlight 
Temple Terrace Lodge #330
Temple Terrace Lodge No. 330 has been a part of the fabric of the Temple Terrace community since April 23rd, 1959. They are a Fraternal organization that takes good men and makes them better. They are an organization of self-improvement which teaches one to continually grow in all aspects of life. They are always seeking to partner with community institutions such as Buddy Baseball to make our community a better place for all to live.
 
Where are they now?
Kellie, Kayla, Katie and Kristine Zambito were all buddies for a few years back in our early days. Look at them now. They are the new owners of Tanya and Matt's Ice Creamiest in Carrollwood. Good luck to them!

Did you know?
Leaning against the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, KY is the world's largest baseball bat, which measures 120 feet from end to end and weighs 34 tons. The steel bat is a giant replica of Babe Ruth's 34 inch Slugger.


Contact Us
(813) 416-5742
Until next time...   PLAY BALL!!

Russ Oberbroeckling
Executive Director
In This Issue
Upcoming Issues
Spotlights
Meet and Greet Info
Opening Day
Buddy Run

Buddy Baseball | (813) 416-5742 | Russ@Buddybaseball.org | http://www.buddybaseball.org
P.O. Box 290361
Temple Terrace, FL 33687-0361

501(c)(3) non profit organization

Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.