WOOLWICH TWP. — The fourth annual Ryan’s Home Run Derby will be held on May 20 at the Kingsway Regional High School Baseball Field beginning at 10 a.m. Rain date is May 21.
The event is held to honor Marine Corps Capt. Ryan K. Iannelli, a former Kingsway graduate, who was killed on September 28, 2011 while performing combat operations in Hellmand Province, Afghanistan.
The opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with a military ceremony on the field where Ryan played as a Kingsway Dragon. Pending and weather permitting there will be a fly over out of McGuire Air Force Base.
Participant in the Home Run Derby include the serious competitors and those that come out to support and honor an American hero for a fun day. Previous years participants have included hitters in their 70’s, so don’t be intimidated.
There will also be games and prizes for children. Joe Joe the clown will be returning, and there will again be face painting, music, food from Uncle Pigs Barbecue and fun for the whole family.
There will be a raffle which includes a donation from the Philadelphia Phillies and a 50/50 drawing.
This event supports Ryan’s 41319 Foundation and the Ryan K. Iannelli Memorial Scholarship given to a Kingsway Regional High School graduating senior. Each year an eligible graduating senior is chosen by entering an essay contest. This year’s contest title is: “Let Freedom Ring.”
Iannelli was a 2002 graduate of Kingsway Regional High School and a beloved student and athlete. Ryan’s honors at Kingsway include: National Honor Society, Student Council Executive Board, Class President and his piers voted him as having the “Most School Spirit” and “Doing The Most For The Class.”
Iannelli’s athletics include baseball, cross country and wrestling. As Captain of the Dragons baseball team his junior and senior years, Ryan led his team to the Tri County Royal Division title in his senior year.
He had received the MVP Award his junior year and the Coaches Award his senior year. He also set the school single season record of stolen bases.
Kingsway dedicated the varsity baseball field as the Ryan K. Iannelli Memorial Field on May 18, 2012. The Iannelli family is so grateful for this amazing honor they have given Ryan. Baseball was such a passion of Ryan’s. Only his love for God and his country came before his love for the diamond.
Ryan’s military awards include: – Air medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 1, National Defense medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Support medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for ISAF, Expert Rifle Badge with Second Award, Expert Pistol Badge.
There are several levels of sponsorship opportunities. Diamond Classic – $1,000.00 which includes an individual banner with your name/company logo and your name/company mentioned throughout the event by our emcee; Grand Slam – $500.00 which includes a shared banner with your name/company logo and your name/company mentioned by our emcee; Home Run level – $250.00 which includes a shared banner with your name/company logo.
For more information to become a sponsor and to register please go to: www.ryans41319.org Also like us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ryanshomerunderby
