A Day at the Park

So yesterday, I was proud to join with my friends on the NEMLEC Police Foundation (that's the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council for the uninformed) to welcome an honorary member to our board. Who would that be? This fellow:That's right, Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis joined our team yesterday, ready to play whatever position he's asked, just like his Red Sox credentials! The NEMLEC Foundation used a portion of the proceeds from our charity golf tournament this year and dedicated them to a new program Youk created as part of his Youk's Kids charity, known as Athletes for Heroes. Teaming with other Boston sports celebs, Youk is dedicating money to help the children of law enforcement or military personnel killed in the line of duty. You can find out more about it at http://www.youkskids.org/

On the infield at Fenway Park, here's the formidable lineup for our NEMLEC foundation, which raises money to support training programs for police in 53 cities and towns. I serve as a representative of Middlesex Community College, which runs numerous training programs for law enforcement personnel and first responders.The Foundation with our newest memberAnd what would a trip to Fenway be without a visit with Heidi Watney?Ready to step in for Tito Francona should he become unavailableOr, if need be, to cover the game from the press boxWatching batting practice from down on the field was a blastYooouuuukkkkkk!Youk, with Pedroia and Ellsbury, waiting to take some swingsHanging at home plateAnd finally, the venerable landmark itself, as seen from home plateBy the way, the Sox won the game. And Youkilis? He did like I asked him, and hit a homerun for us, although he didn't point first with his bat to show everyone where he was going to hit it. So not quite Babe Ruth level legend, but it was cool anyways and it's a legend that will live on at least in our minds.