The North End Athletic Association opened its 2017 Baseball season on Saturday, April 29th with 6 fantastic baseball games on a glorious day at Langone and Puopolo Parks in the North End. Over 350 people attended the festivities with the highlight being a ceremony to salute the late Barbara Sablone. Barbara was an assistant to the Executive Director at North Bennet Street School for over 30 years. She was the right hand person for Uncle Fred Carangelo and was a mentor to many in the neighborhood. She volunteered for the NEAA for many, many years. Her son Vinnie coaches the Cardinals on which her grandson Jesse also plays.
It was a great turnout to honor such a wonderful lady! Attending the First pitch ceremonies and to honor Barbara was Senator Joe Boncore, Representative Aaron Michlewitz, City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina, NEAA President Louis Cavagnaro, Freddy and Kathy Carangelo as well as several friends and family members of the NEAA. Barabra’s husband, Jack, threw out a first pitch strike!
As has become the custom, the NEAA through a first class bash for all the kids and their families & friends in attendance. There was coffee, donuts, pastry, cookies as well as a day long BBQ. We also had other snacks like chips and twizzlers for the kids. There was also a balloon guy and face painter for all the kids big and small. The Boston Public Market Association located on Blackstone street in the North End was also there handing out SWAG and GOODIES!!
There were many sponsors of the event but this year we had a PREMIER SPONSOR – TRESCA RESTAURANT.
Tresca donation money to help with the days’ events as well as Red Sox tickets, gift cards, pastries from Lyndell’s Bakery and coffee from Dunkin Donuts! Special thanks to Bill Galatis for putting all of this together.
A special thanks goes to all our volunteers for the day: Kenny Lanza Sr, Kenny Lanza Jr – who cooked all day, Lillian Ferullo and Mary Anne Tordiglione who served food all day. Anna Arienello who helped out serving as well. Patricia Romano who assisted all day as well. Thanks also goes to the several parents who helped out throughout the day! ALSO to our Commissioner Ralph Martignetti!
“This day would not be possible without our sponsors who donated to the event” said NEAA Baseball Coordinator John Romano, they come through each year for us.
Mayor Martin Walsh, Rep Aaron Michlewitz, Senator Joe Boncore, Councilor Sal LaMattina, In Memory of Francesco Capone, Friends of the North End, Jimmy & Francine Gannon, Kenny’s Lock Inc., Domenic “Gizzy” Coppola & Laurie D’ELia, Knight of Columbus – Ausonia Council #1513, The Wells Family, Post Gazette Newspaper, Kyle & Julie McHugh, Vincent & Denise Sablone, Boston Public Market Association, Uptown Cafe – Gary Forziati, The Wolfson Family, The Marberblatt/Huang Family, Dennis Quilty, Michael Prinn, Kether-Sang Family, LeBlanc Family.
LEAGUE SPONSORS: North End Against Drugs, Inc. & Boston Police Acitivities League
TEAM SPONSORS: St. Anthony’s Feast Society, St. Agrippina’s Feast Society, Regional Review Newspaper, Tomasone Club
Games are scheduled throughout the next two months at both parks on Commercial Street, go to neaabaseball.org to see the schedule.
It’s spring time in the North End and its’ time to PLAY BALL!!
