On Monday June 27th and Wednesday June 29th the North End will meet the South End in the spirit of baseball through the 7th Annual ‘North 2 South Baseball Classic’. Sponsored by State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, the classic will be played by the Little League All-Star teams from the North End Athletic Association and South End Baseball
“As State Representative for the 3rd Suffolk District, I am proud to represent two of the great Little League organizations in the City of Boston,” said Representative Michlewitz. “As someone who was involved in youth baseball as a coach for many years, I am proud to sponsor an event such as this which brings two communities together through sports. This event is one of my favorite events of the summer and it is my hope that this tradition will continue years to come.”
New this year, the North 2 South Baseball Classic will honor one person from each neighborhood by naming each team’s MVP trophy after them.
The North End MVP award will be named after John Romano. John grew up in the North End and for as long as anyone can remember, he has been giving back to neighborhood. From running the North End Athletic Association and helping create North End Music Performance and Arts Center to being the President of North End Against Drugs, Romano has been a staple in the community in many different endeavors. Romano actually coached Representative Michlewitz when he played Little League.
“John has been a mentor, a friend and a leader for the North End,” said Michlewitz. “He was involved in the initial creation of the North 2 South Baseball Classic and has been someone that I have always counted on to help move the North End forward in a positive direction. Naming this award is a small step in honor John for all he has done, but I am happy we are doing it.”
The South End MVP award will be named after Jason Burrell. Jason grew up in the Lenox Street projects, played in South End baseball and for the South End Astros, graduated from UMass Amherst in 2011, currently works for Elizabeth Warren. Burrell actually played for the Astros against the North End Dodgers when Representative Michlewitz coached them before he was elected.
“Jason is a tremendous example of what South End Baseball is all about,” said Michlewitz. “He is someone who many other kids in the South End can look up to. I am proud to call him my friend and I am proud that we can honor him with naming the South End MVP trophy after him.”
There will be two 7-inning games, one in each neighborhood for the 12 and under age division. The North End game will be played at Langone Park on Commercial Street onMonday, June 27th and the South End game will be played on Wednesday June 29th at Luis Tiant Field at Peters Park in the South End. Both games start at 6:00 pm. Both groups are hoping for a strong neighborhood turnout and will be offering food and refreshments.
