Travis Roy wiffle ball tournament raises over $500,000

Another big fundraising effort and thrilling competition on the field highlighted the 16th annual Travis Roy Foundation Wiffle Ball Tournament this past weekend in Essex.

Held at Pat and Beth O'Connor's three backyard fields, Little Fenway, Little Wrigley and Little Field of Dreams, the three-day, 34-team event brought in $585,496, the second-highest total in history, according to the foundation's news release.

The tournament has raised over $4.6 million in the 16 years, and this year marks the third time in four years the backyard event has hit the $500,000 plateau. 

All funds go to the Travis Roy Foundation that benefits and creates awareness for people with spinal cord injuries, and is named after the former Boston University men's hockey player who resides with his family in nearby Malletts Bay in Colchester each summer.

"What keeps me moving is the energy that builds from this weekend," Roy said in the release. "There are good days and bad days for any of us who are paralyzed. But for me, there are few better days than this weekend when it all comes to a pinnacle. It’s really fun to know the great effort by everyone this weekend to help find a way to help our foundation. I lose words when trying to define what it means for the all of the people and families that we can help, and the hope that it provides for all of us. I want to thank everyone involved from the bottom of my heart."

Since the 2016 tourney, the foundation has committed $350,000 to fund spinal cord injury research, and over $400,000 in adaptive equipment grants to enhance the lives of people and families affected by spinal cord injuries.

Tournament director, host and founder Pat O'Connor echoed Roy's remarks and was gracious for the great efforts of the supporters, participants, volunteers and neighbors.

"It takes a great community effort to put on this ever-growing and expanding event, and I'm proud that no one leaves here without having fun," O'Connor said.

For the second straight year a local Vermont team won the tournament title in Sunday’s final. Williston-based HOTDAM captured its third title overall and its first since 2003, claiming an exciting title game, 6-5, over the Jackhammers of Braintree, Massachusetts.

Led by tournament MVP Tucker Kohlasch of Williston, HOTDAM scored twice in the bottom of the final inning after the Jackhammers, who previously trailed all game, took a one-run advantage down to their last out in the top half of the seventh.

For more information and to donate to the Travis Roy Foundation, go to travisroyfoundation.org.