Toronto Blue Jays charity organization instills love of baseball for Sudbury students

Sudbury students played in a Blue Jays-funded baseball game Wednesday after receiving equipment through the team’s inclusive community program.

Earlier this year, two elementary schools in Sudbury were selected as recipients of various programs and a grant from the Jays Care Foundation, a charity organization run through the Toronto Blue Jays.

St. David and Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary Schools applied and were chosen as part of the Jays Care Foundation’s Affiliate School Program.

“It’s been absolutely tremendous,” said Louis Mailloux, a Grade 5 teacher at St. David.

“They started at the beginning of the year by giving us some manuals to get us started in the program, and then they sent us probably about $2,000 worth of equipment, including baseballs, bats, gloves. And after we completed our eight hours, they sent us hats and shirts for all the students that they’re wearing today.”

Mailloux said students have come a long way.

“They’ve been learning just basic skills, right? Throwing, catching at the beginning. You know, people didn’t really know how to throw a ball or hold a glove or swing a bat,” Mailloux said.

Additionally, both schools participated in the Jays Care Reviving Baseball in Inner (RBI) Cities program, which focuses on making the sport inclusive and accessible for all.

“Some parents reached out to us, just thanking us for providing the students with these opportunities, because some of them, there’s financial constraints,” said Colin Lapalme, the principal of Holy Trinity.

“Sports are expensive, even in the community where there’s, organizations there to try to help out, but sometimes it’s still unattainable. So it’s nice when the Blue Jays sponsor us to be able to offer this to our students. It just gives them an opportunity to participate in a sport.”

Schools received:

• RBI-branded hats and t-shirts for participants and coaches
• Baseball gloves, bats, tees, and balls
• Indoor bases, pylons, and equipment buckets

Holy Trinity and St. David were also awarded an All-Star Series Grant to support their end-of-year celebration game, which covers some expenses like transportation, lunch and facility rentals.

On Wednesday, about 120 Grade 5 and 6 students took part in the celebratory baseball game, held at the Terry Fox Sports Complex.

Grade 5 student Michael Nochilionye said he has wanted a baseball bat for over a year has been enjoying learning all about the sport.

“I just feel like it just brings a way to get us outside of school and to just have fun and play with our friends,” he said.

“I hold the bat properly now, and I swing very far. I’m very good at catching. I felt like that really helped me a lot to learn about baseball.”

Lapalme said he hopes students take away a lot from the experience, both on and off the field.

“I hope that they learn just the love of playing sports and being part of a team. And also, I hope that they learn, like, just those vital skills, like communication skills, and to not give up on yourself when things are hard,” he said.

“Baseball is a game of failure. So there’s a lot of things are really tough about the game. And then you just learn to persevere and work through it and encourage each other.”