This noble cause event started thanks to Jerry Frulio and his wife Jo-Dee, teachers at Central Regional High School in Bayville, when his son Dayton was diagnosed with this illness at age three. Then, they decided to put all their efforts to battle this disorder through the raise of funds directed to research, school programs and most importantly, to raise awareness about this often forgotten condition.
Frulio, former baseball coach, started this venture thanks to his sports connections back in 2013 with just 4 teams at Central. Now, with 42 varsity teams and 10 different locations, Strike Out Autism Challenge growth has proved that generosity and human love is still present to this days. The teams faced each other but at the end, the winners were those brave people who deal with autism on a daily basis. Dayton had the privilege of the ceremonial first pitch.
"We purchase various items - iPads, art supplies, adaptive physical education items, other classroom tools - that help these school programs directly in many ways, Frulio said.
At Central Regional there was food, vendors and a lot of fun activities such as bounce houses, a game truck, face painting a petting zoo, pony rides and more. All the money goes to autism foundations, academic programs and schools of Monmouth County.
The games were held as follows:
At Central Regional
Mater Dei vs. Central Regional, 11 a.m.
Freehold Twp. vs. Lacey, 2 p.m.
At Howell
Manchester Twp. vs. Howell, 10 a.m.
Middletown South vs. Southern, 1 p.m.
At Jackson Liberty
Jackson Memorial vs. Jackson Liberty, 11 a.m.
St. Rose vs. Brick, 2 p.m.
At Red Bank Catholic (Count Basie Field)
Brick Memorial vs. Red Bank, 4 p.m.
Barnegat vs. Red Bank Catholic, 7 p.m.
At St. John Vianney, Holmdel
Monmouth vs. St. John Vianney, 11 p.m.
Colts Neck vs. Middletown North, 2 p.m.
At Raritan High School, Hazlet
Holmdel vs. Raritan, 10 a.m.
Asbury Park vs. Long Branch, 12:30 p.m.
At Ocean Township
Matawan vs. Shore, 10 a.m.
Freehold Boro vs. Ocean, 1:30 p.m.
At Point Pleasant Boro
Manalapan vs. Point Pleasant Boro, 10 a.m.
Lakewood at Point Pleasant Beach, 1 p.m.
At Toms River South
Williamstown vs. Toms River East, 1 p.m.
Christian Brothers Academy vs. Toms River North, 4 p.m.
Donovan Catholic vs. Toms River South, 7 p.m.
At Wall Municipal Complex
Pinelands vs Rumson-Fair Haven, 3 p.m.
Manasquan vs. Wall, 6 p.m.
Congratulations to all the winners!
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