WOOLWICH TWP. — The fifth annual Ryan’s Home Run Derby will be held on May 19 at the Kingsway Regional High School Baseball Field beginning at 10 a.m. Rain date is May 20.
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.
A formal military ceremony including color guard and a pending fly over out of McGuire
Air Force base begins at 10am sharp. This is truly a sight to see! Come out and bring your favorite veteran as will we be honoring all who have served and are serving this Armed Forces
Day! Ryan would be honored to share his special day with his military brothers! The derby will
begin following the ceremony.
According to his mother, Donna Iannelli, only Ryan’s love for God and country was above his love for the diamond. “With much prayer about a way to honor Ryan, God gave us the idea for Ryan’s Home Run Derby.” This event is held each year on Armed Forces day on the Ryan K Iannelli Memorial Field at Kingsway Regional High School.
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.
There are seven divisions in the derby: Tee-ball age: 4-6, Youth age: 7 – 9, Youth age: 10 – 12, Youth age: 13 – 15, High School Student, College Student, Non-student adult. Visit: www.ryans41319.org click on “Home Run Derby 2018” for all details and to register.
Ryan loved getting family and friends together so we have included other activities. Following the opening ceremony will be a carnival of games with prizes for children, face painting, balloon artist clown, food, music and fun for all. We hope you will bring out the whole family and join us as we honor and remember a true American Hero.
If weather is questionable, a status of event will be posted on the web site and Facebook by 7 a.m.
This event supports Ryan’s 41319 Foundation and the Ryan K. Iannelli Memorial Scholarship.
This scholarship is given to an eligible graduating senior at Ryan’s alma mater, Kingsway
Regional High School. The winner is chosen via an essay contest. This year’s contest title is
“America – A Nation Set Apart.”
There are several levels of sponsorship opportunity. To learn more please go to:
www.ryans41319.org and click on “Home Run Derby 2018”
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 peers 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.
