COURTESY PHOTO
A still captured from the Lynn Wyoma Red Sox team Youtube video asking for Red Sox player Dustin Pedroia’s help.
By MATT DEMIRS
The Lynn Wyoma Red Sox team needs help winning a batting lesson from Dustin Pedroia.
“Dustin, we need your help,” said the 10 players, ranging from ages 8-12, on the Little League team in their video submission.
They were one of five finalists to have their video selected for online voting which closes on Sunday, June 18. The winners get lessons from Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
The video, posted to YouTube last month, has grown to more than 1,500 views.
Watch the video at the link:
Head Coach Ryan Newhall said his young ballplayers deserve the chance to have the 2008 American League Most Valuable Player teach his kids how to improve their swing.
“Our team is made up of all first-year minors so we could use a little help,” he said. “We don’t have a winning record, but all of the kids are having fun.”
Salem Five teamed up with Pedroia for the “Uncomplicate Hitting” contest where little league teams submitted their video asking him for help.
When Newhall and assistant coach and videographer, Kevin Ronningen, submitted an entry to the competition, they wanted to include every player in the video, unlike some of the other finalists who show only a few.
While he agrees Pedroia’s talent could help the team, he hopes Pedroia’s spirit rubs off on them too, he said.
“One of Pedroia’s mottos is turn can’t into I can,” Newhall said. This type of thinking, he said, will have an impact when his team steps up to the plate.
The Wyoma Red Sox have even nicknamed some of the players after the stars on the Red Sox like Colin Newhall as “Little Pedroia” and Dylan DeFilippo as “Little Papi.”
Sean McCarthy, a Salem Five loan officer in Lynn, said they began the competition to support the community.
“Baseball is known for America’s greatest pastime,” he said. “This is our way of supporting the community that supports us.”
Cameron Grigway, who plays for the Wyoma Red Sox, said he is a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and even has an autograph from pitcher David Price.
The eight-year-old has been to countless games and hopes to get the chance to ask Pedroia how to stay focused on the ball when he’s at bat.
Other finalists include Shedd Park Lowell, Salem Rockhounds, Andover AAA Indians, and Manchester Essex A’s.
Voting takes place online at www.pedroiasworld.com/vote/.
Matt Demirs can be reached at [email protected]
