By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to former Putnam Clipper Steve LaPointe.  The lanky LaPointe has found his niche at Quinebaug Valley Community College, where he works in training and job placement with individuals who have been squeezed out of employment or are looking to change career fields.

The ultimate experience for Red Sox fans when they attend a game at Fenway Park is a Boston victory.  Sometimes in the midst of the game action and all the frantic activity within the ballpark, one can come away with an experience that warms the heart and renews the spirit in mankind.

On April 29 I had the opportunity to attend the game at Fenway Park between the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays with my brother Moe Coderre, my good friend Sam Markley and my Assumption College classmate Bob Mercier.  The experience was truly enjoyable not only because the BoSox pulled off a rare 4-1 win but also because of the actions of a dad and his three children seated a row in front of us.

Setting the scene, we had the good fortune of sitting in the State Street Pavilion, Club Section high above home plate with a perfect view of the entire playing field.  Seated in Row One was the aforementioned father, his little daughter who was about 4 years old and two sons, one I’d estimate at approximately 12 and the other around 9.

Right from the beginning it was obvious that these youngsters loved baseball by the way they focused on the action on the field.  It was also evident that they were well behaved by the way they paid attention to their younger sister and how they reacted to dad and each other.

During the game, around the fifth inning, the Red Sox publicly recognized an active duty Marine, who was standing on the first base dugout.  As the crowd arose in unison, these kids respectively did the same.  This show of support and patriotism, we all felt was extraordinary for youngsters of this age. 

The most meaningful act took place a short time later when a screaming line drive foulball shot into our seating area striking a young boy on the hand and bouncing to his right.  The ball took a fortuitous bounce right into the glove of the oldest boy seated in front of us.  The Fenway Park security and medical staff immediately tended to the injured young man.  He was removed to an area where his hand could be examined and he was cared for.

In a gesture of kindness and without any prompting, the young man with the ball proceeded to walk over and without any fanfare, gave the cherished baseball to the injured youngster.  A short time later the family left, presumably to get home in time to either do some homework or get a good night’s sleep for the next school day.

Bob Mercier then asked Red Sox Security for and received a Major League baseball, which he promised to get to the young man who had earlier relinquished the errant foul ball.  Mercier, a retired Federal Probation Officer, the next day did some detective work.

Noting the boys were wearing Belmont Youth Hockey Championship jackets, he made some phone calls and within a day had located the family.  He spoke to the dad and related the entire scenario, complimenting him on the behavior of his children.  Along with a well written letter, crafted in the King’s English from his days at Assumption, Mercier mailed the ball to the family.

Thanks to the United States Postal Service and the kindness and willingness of Bob Mercier to go the extra yard, two young men now have a Major league baseball.  Honesty and generosity have been rewarded and a young man gets a lesson that good things happen to those who do good deeds

Baseball In The Air…

Monday, May 4 dawned sunny, bright and warm.  A perfect day for a visit to the old ballpark.  Thanks to Brad Favreau of Woodstock, the director of Business Development for the Connecticut Tigers, we were able to relive, ever so briefly, the thrill of being a young man on a baseball diamond.

Favreau, who left the world of real estate in January to take a position with the Tigers, currently enjoys his new position.  Upon my arrival Favreau greeted me enthusiastically and took me on a tour of Dodd Stadium.  From the Press Box, to the home team clubhouse, to the indoor batting cage, on to the luxury boxes and to the outdoor pavilion we covered every nook and cranny of the stadium.  

The piece-de-resistance occurred when we exited the clubhouse, walked through the tunnel, exited into the dugout, climbed the steps and stepped gingerly on to the field.  Standing near first base, in the bright sunshine in 80-degree temperature, my mind wandered to days many years ago.  The infield grass, plush and verdant, the baselines white and so neatly laid down, the infield finely manicured, it made one yearn for the days of youth and reach for the glove and bat.  It was without exaggeration “a great feeling!”

Basketball is fast paced, football and hockey are hard hitting and today many complain that baseball is too slow moving.  But to the baseball purists, the National Pastime still remains America’s game.

Take a trip to Norwich this summer and experience the feeling.  And while you’re there look for Brad Favreau and say hello.  I’m certain he’ll treat you like royalty.

Wedding Bells

Congratulations to Candice Peterson and Matthew Zamagni, who on Saturday, May 2 in the presence of the Rev. Doe West became Mr. and Mrs. Matthew and Candice Zamagni.  The ceremony took place at Harrington Farm in Princeton, Mass., and was witnessed by approximately 180 family, friends and guests.

Matthew’s groomsmen could easily have been a “Who’s Who” of former Putnam Clipper athletes.  The Best Man, who had trouble locating the rings, was Jason Zamagni a baseball and basketball standout as a Clipper.  The groomsmen included Peter Gunderson of football notoriety and Trevor Smith, also a gridiron and stalwart.  Gunderson and Smith later starred at Fitchburg State University, Gunderson as a receiver and Smith as a kicker.  The remainder of the male attendants included basketball and baseball standout Phil Bonin and Andrew Vitale, a 1000-point scorer during his four years in Clipperland.

The parents of the bride are Philip and Naomi Peterson.  William and Kathleen  Zamagni are the parents of the groom.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

..