Pat Kenney
Contributing Writer
Back, back, back, gone!
Many stepped up to the plate. Some failed and some prevailed, but everyone had a good time. Laughter was plentiful and the smiles were contagious at Saturday’s Home Run Derby at the softball field.
The Sport Management Club held a home run derby fundraiser this past Saturday in order to raise money for the club and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation.
“It was a huge success,” said Sean Smith, a junior at Springfield College and the president of the Sport Management Club.
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, founded in 2000, helps and improves the quality of life for people and families affected by autism. Doug Flutie, a former NFL quarterback, and his wife, Laurie, created the foundation after their son was diagnosed with autism.
To date, the Flutie’s have raised $6 million for programs in New England, New York, New Jersey, southern California, at the national level, and in Canada.
Fifteen swings were the limit for everyone and the one with the most home runs at the end was crowned the champion. Participants were told to try and hit as many tennis balls over the fence as they could, but it was not as easy as it looked.
The tennis balls came off the bats fast, but would slow down due to their surface, that creates more air resistance than a baseball’s skin, making the task much harder.
In fact, it was so hard to hit home runs that the Sport Management Club decided to move up home plate to give the players a better chance. This minor change created competition and entertainment for those participating and watching as balls started to fly over the fence with ease.
Freshman Billy Schmid ended up winning the event with eight home runs in two rounds.
The Sport Management Club provides opportunities for students who are interested in learning about business in sports.
“It helps students further develop and make connections throughout the sport management profession,” said Smith.
The club holds a variety of fundraisers year round, including a yearly badminton tournament held in late February. Last year, the tournament raised over $230 for the club, and they plan on bringing it back this year.
The Sport Management Club gives students the opportunity to do other work outside the classroom and textbooks.
“It allows us to apply what we are learning in the classroom to everyday life,” said Smith.
The club is not just for Sport Management majors. It is open for anyone interested in the field. They meet every other Tuesday, in the Union Dodge Ballroom and are welcoming new members.