NORWICH – On Wednesday, 21 athletes participated in the 10th annual Baseball Buddies. This tradition was started by the Carson family before it was passed along to Jen and Jeff Parker and their three boys, including Zach Parker, the catcher on the Varsity baseball team.

Jen, an active member in the Norwich athletic community and an Occupational therapist at Gibson school, knew the students, athletes and volunteers who were participating, so she had no problem sitting down and pairing together each athlete with their buddies.

Several Norwich athletes ranging from the flag football team, the baseball and softball teams, to members of the track teams along with others came out to play ball and to make a new friend. Members from the Norwich unified basketball team also participated.

Each athlete and their buddy were separated into two teams, A and B. Each team had a chance to bat and play the field twice in the four inning game. Nothing but smiles and excitement from all participants with cheers from their families on the sidelines. After a successful event, each player was awarded a free hot dog and water for all their hard work. The Norwich community is already looking forward to next year’s event.