InJersey

EAST BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, April 6, 2011 — There is more on the schedule than strictly baseball for a team of young Middlesex County ballplayers. The East Brunswick Courage, a travel baseball team for 13 and 14 year-olds, is as committed to community service as it is to turning double plays and laying down a good bunt.

These young baseball players, who come from East Brunswick, Spotswood, South Brunswick and Helmetta, kickoff their 2011 community service season by helping clean the East Brunswick Community Garden, Saturday, April 9, from 9 am to 12 noon.

The following week the team will help clean East Brunswick’s Bicentennial Park, Saturday, April 16, from 9 am to 12 noon.

In the spirit of Hall of Fame great Jackie Robinson, the team seeks to inspire its players not only to win on the field, but also to succeed personally by making meaningful and positive contributions to the community.

Previous years the team volunteered at the East Brunswick Historic Museum and the Spotswood Reformed Church.

The team’s regularly picks up trash and cleans the area near the baseball fields behind Appleby Elementary School in Spotswood as a condition of using the location for their home baseball games.

“Our players work hard and play to win,” said Fred Stratton, the team’s founder and head coach. “But success in life is more than winning on the field. It’s about exhibiting leadership and contributing to your community.”

The team plans to engage in several other projects, including collecting and donating food or supplies for a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen and helping out at a local Humane Society by donating time or supplies such as pet food.

“Along with learning to give back to the community, players will develop an important sense of cohesion and camaraderie,” said Stratton.

The team is open to suggestions for project opportunities where the team can contribute to the community and offers a valuable learning opportunity for players.

“Long after their playing days are done, I hope these young people will be inspired to continue serving their community and participating as valuable members of society,” continued Stratton. “If that happens, then this team will have succeeded, regardless of our record.”

The East Brunswick Courage is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit organization and is not affiliated with the East Brunswick Baseball League, Inc.

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