Boston College Athletics
Baseball Strikes Out ALS on Saturday
April 25, 2012 | Baseball
April 25, 2012
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The Boston College baseball team will host an ALS Awareness game on Saturday, April 28 when the Eagles play Wake Forest at 1:30 p.m. at Eddie Pellagrini Diamond at Commander Shea Field. BC is raising awareness for Lou Gehrig's disease in honor of former player and current director of baseball operations Pete Frates.
"ALS has affected our BC family," head coach Mike Gambino said. "We want to help raise awareness for a disease that has no known cause or cure. It is our small way of trying to help."
Frates was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A Beverly, Mass., native, he played in the outfield for the Maroon and Gold from 2004-07. A captain his senior year, he tied for the team lead in 2007 with five home runs to go along with 27 RBIs. He finished his BC career with 107 starts, a .228 average, 88 hits, 56 RBIs, 11 home runs and 34 stolen bases.
The current baseball players and staff have been wearing "PF #3" arm bands in support of Frates.
"We are proud to honor Pete Frates with an ALS awareness game," Gambino said. "Pete has always exhibited the characteristics we look for in all our student-athletes. He works hard and plays hard. He has high character and loves Boston College and the baseball program."
ALS Bracelets will be sold for $1 before and during the game against the Demon Deacons with proceeds going to the ALS Foundation. A presentation will precede the start of the game and donations can also be made to The Pete Frates #3 Fund at www.petefrates.com.
Boston College will also host an auction online, which will feature a mini helmet and a football signed by former BC football star Luke Kuechly, as well as a hockey stick signed by the 2012 National Champion men's hockey team and a baseball jersey signed by the 2012 Eagles. The proceeds will benefit the Pete Frates #3 Fund.
