The West Hartford high schools may be rivals when they’re out on the diamond, but on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, Conard and Hall will also be working together for a good cause.

By Ronni Newton

Although both the Conard and Hall baseball teams will be motivated to win when they meet at Conard’s baseball field on Wednesday, May 6, the teams will also be working toward a common goal off the diamond – raising money for the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign.

“It all started last year when we played at Southington, and it was their breast cancer fundraising game,” Conard senior co-captain Jordan Muchin said. “We were bummed that we didn’t know before the game.”

Muchin and fellow senior and co-captain Alex White started talking about doing a breast cancer fundraiser at Conard. “We thought it would be cool to wear pink, and we chose the Conard-Hall game because it would draw a bigger crowd and we could raise more money,” Muchin said.

Conard coach Ty Bongiovanni was an enthusiastic supporter of the idea.

“The two of them came to me because they have a friend of the family who is a survivor,” Bongiovanni said. “They’ve been talking about it since last year.”

The Conard captains also spoke with Hall co-captains Neil Kelley and Patrick McHale and Hall head coach Jeff Billing, all of whom were immediately on board as well.

Conard baseball captains Jordan Muchin (left) and Alex White have worked to turn the Conard vs. Hall baseball game into a fundraiser for ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.’ Courtesy photo

“I’m really proud of Jordan for taking the lead on this. We’re really excited to work together to raise money and awareness,” Billing said.

The game is raising funds for team “Lynn’s Hope,” which will be participating the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” in October. “Lynn” is Lynn Torsiello, a breast cancer survivor and family friend of the Muchins who is also the aunt of Conard student Brian Torsiello.

In advance of the game, donation jars have been placed in several locations at Conard and there are posters up around the school. West Hartford Athletic Director Betty Remigino-Knapp has also gotten involved, reaching out to teachers and administrators.

At the game itself, the Conard team will be decked out in custom-made pink jerseys. They will be selling pink jerseys to fans, emblazoned with the word “fight,” with all proceeds going to Lynn’s Hope. Donation jars will also be placed at the game.

“Our goal is $1,500, and that would be great – awesome – if we raised that,” Muchin said. The requested donation is  only $1, but Muchin is hoping that some will be inspired to donate more.

Hall’s team is also wearing special jerseys – royal blue shirts with pink lettering that Billing said were designed by the team captains and are being printed at West Hartford’s Fresh Ink.

Breast cancer survivors will also have an active role in the game. Bongiovanni said that all breast cancer survivors who have some relation to the players are invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

A survivor of another type of cancer will also participate in the game. Chris Bowman, the 5-year-old son of Hall assistant football coach Craig Bowman, will throw out a pitch and will also serve as Hall’s bat boy for the game.

“Sports are special in the way that you can compete but at the same time work together,” Billing said.

The game will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at 3:45 p.m., at Conard High School.