Photo courtesy of Constance Brown Photography
Boston Red Sox third baseman Brock Holt poses with players from the Pink Pugs Suffield Little League team. They were in the dugout at Fenway Park during a CVS Health Batting Camp. From the left, front row: Mya Johnson, Maddie Morello, Addie Holmes, Maddie Agrafojo, Sunny Sullivan, Elizabeth Strong, and Abby Caron. Rear Row: Charlie Morello, Ashlee Caron, Hannah Hadley, and Holt.
On July 31, the Suffield Little League AA Softball team, the Pink Pugs, had the experience of a lifetime at Fenway Park. The girls got the full VIP treatment and small taste of what it’s like to be a Major League Baseball player at a CVS Health Batting Camp.
The girls and their families started the day at Gate D on Yawkey Way with anticipation and excitement. Their excitement and joy grew as they walked through the stadium seats down to the field to the Red Sox dugout where the girls had batting practice one-on-one with Boston Red Sox Hitting Coach Chili Davis and Assistant Hitting Coach Victor Rodriguez.
The experience continued when the girls had the privilege to walk onto Fenway field and have on-field batting practice. It was surreal to see how impeccably manicured the field is for game day! The girls posed for photos in front of the Green Monster and enjoyed lunch in the Red Sox dugout. The team was also lucky enough to enjoy a visit from Red Sox player Brock Holt and Red Sox mascot Wally.
The experience concluded with a VIP tour of Fenway Park plus early entry to the Red Sox batting practice, where the girls scored many player autographs and then enjoyed the evening’s game.
This opportunity was provided to the girls by CVS Health. The camp welcomed players, family members and coaches from The Pink Pugs team to participate in a full day of events. The CVS Health Batting Camp has a long-standing partnership with the Boston Red Sox and reflects a shared commitment to New England children of all abilities.
“We are thrilled to host the Pink Pugs — our first-ever all-girls team — and to partner with the Boston Red Sox for the 13th season,” said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy at CVS Health. “We’re honored to extend this once-in-a-lifetime experience to new players each year. Seeing the smiles on their faces as they work with the Boston Red Sox hitting coaches and take in Fenway Park supports our commitment to help children of all abilities to be the best that they can be and brings our purpose of helping people on their path to better health to life!”
“We were very excited when CVS Health contacted us to let us know we had been selected for the Batting Camp,” said Dan Holmes, coach of the Pink Pugs. “This was a tremendous experience for everyone, the kids and the adults alike.”
Photo courtesy of Constance Brown Photography
Mascot Wally the Green Monster engages happily with Suffield Pink Pugs players during their visit to Fenway Park, with a big Pink Pugs welcome emblazoned on the distant score board.