GNAC Baseball Strikes Out ALS

The members of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference have been noted for their exceptional participation in community service ventures.  As a league and as individual institutions, the conference's membership has long been affiliated with groups and organizations large and small.

Now, this spring, the GNAC's baseball teams are partnering to combat Lou Gehrig's disease with their local ALSA chapters through an effort called "Strike Out ALS."

Zachary Bright, the GNAC's baseball intern, coordinates the effort as part of his duties for the league.   Bright hopes that each team will raise at least the equivalent of the league average of team strikeout totals during conference play.  "For instance, if the total number of strikeouts in league play were 450, each team would be expected to raise $50," Bright told the coaches, "We say at least the equivalent of the league average of strikeouts because we obviously hope to raise as much money for the cause as possible."

Bright told the league's coaches that fundraising opportunities are endless.  "Players can reach out to the parents, ask friends in their dorms or dining halls to donate, or can simply put out donation buckets at home games." 

Better still, says Bright, anyone can get involved.  "All of our coaches are being asked to name their events '(Institution's Name) Strikes Out ALS 2013," he said, "Any fan will be able to log on and donate to that 'One Dollar Difference' event."  Proceeds from various team activities are directed to the team's regional ALSA Chapter.

Nancy Feroldi, executive director of the Rhode Island chapter of the ALS Association,   looks forward to the GNAC's help . "We couldn't be happier about the Great Northeast Athletic Conference's desire to join in the battle to defeat ALS," Feroldi  says, " This new initiative that the conference and its baseball teams are undertaking will undoubtedly assist The AL S Association fulfill its mission in a number of ways.

"It will help to raise ALS awareness and the funds needed to support local care services for those touched by Lou Gehrig's disease.  The ALS Association chapters within the NE region will appreciate and welcome this partnership and this support."

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a motor disease which affects persons between the ages of 40 and 70.  The ALS Association of Greater New York estimates that as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time. 

Gehrig brought ALS into the national spotlight in 1939 when he abruptly retired from the game after he was diagnosed with the disease.  ALS also claimed Former Oakland A's and Yankee pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter, also a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Over the past ten years, though the cause of ALS is not completely known, scientific research has made great strides in understanding the disease and is providing greater hope in the future for its eventual cure. 

 "The GNAC has always been proud of its many efforts on behalf of our community and a myriad of charitable organizations," says conference commissioner Joe Walsh.  "The effort being shown by Zachary and the GNAC's baseball coaches and teams speaks volumes to their commitment to the conference's core values.  The movement to strike out Lou Gehrig's Disease has resonated with the American baseball community for decades.  I'm happy, and quite proud that the GNAC is stepping to the plate to help."

Written by GNAC Special Reporter John Parente