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Winterball A Success
 
70+ Holiday Toys and Care Packages Donated
12/21/08 - Various members of the South Jersey MSBL took to the frozen tundra of Cherry Hill Rotary Field this past Saturday to kick off the Inaugural South Jersey MSBL Winterball festivities. With temps that started out in the mid-to-upper 20s, league members and their families donated a total of 62 toys to benefit Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the South Jersey Toys for Tots program, as well as $250 in cash donations for the purchase of 10 USO Military Care Packages that are on their way to our servicemen abroad. (Click here for the Winterball 2008 Photo Album.)
Overall, several South Jersey MSBL players stopped by for a short while to drop off their donations, a couple of players made arrangements afterwards to get their donations in and about a dozen hearty souls stuck it out for the full two hours, as we played a little pick up ball that included some infield/outfield and a BP session. Most importantly, everyone who took part was having a great time for some wonderful charitable causes, despite running around in the cold for two hours while stinging our hands on every swing of the bat.
The best player on the diamond hands down was young Darren Aupperle, son of 25+ Rumors B&G Phillies' skipper Joe Aupperle, who managed to field everything hit at him flawlessly from his perch at second base. The Iron-Mike Award goes to Marlton Braves' lefthander Lloyd Harrison, who threw to batters for what seemed like about an hour before grabbing some ABs for himself.
The Best Toy Donated Award is a tie, going to whoever donated the old school "Battleship" game and the Mattel handheld 'Football II' electronic game. Special consideration goes to a certain manager (who will remain nameless) who stopped by despite fighting a nasty cold to donate a pair of games, including one of the greatest board games of alltime, 'Shoots and Ladders'. In fact, we actually got two of them donated during the day (one each to Toys for Tots and CHOP), as well as one of the other alltime favs among the preschool crowd, 'Candyland'.
Finally, we want to thank 25+ Phillies' infielder Chris Jones for coming by to drop off a donation and hang with the guys for a while, despite battling through some recent serious health issues of his own this off season. We wish Chris all the best towards a speedy recovery.
UPDATE: South Jersey MSBL is happy to report that all Winterball 2008 donated toys have been delivered over the past couple of days. The final batch went out on Tuesday - just in time for Santa to include them in his rounds for Wednesday night. We have also completed the purchase of 10 USO Military Care Packages that are now on their way to our servicemen abroad.
South Jersey MSBL would also like to extend big thank yous to: the ladies of the Special Events Department (above photo) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (and the Philly patrolman who thankfully decided NOT to issue a ticket while we were parked at the Visitors' entrance to unload our toys), Curtis Marshall (below photo) of the Camden County Toys for Tots, and finally our own Mike Melissas, representing Cherry Hill East Babe Ruth - for securing the Cherry Hill Rotary Complex for us to hold our first Winterball event.
One final most appreciated 'Thank You' and Happy Holidays goes out to all players and family members who came out to participate. A job well done.
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