May 29, 2017

Confirmation candidates, baseball community honor fallen Springfield police officer Kevin Ambrose

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

WILBRAHAM – Players, coaches, families and friends from Springfield to Hartford came together for the fourth annual Kevin Ambrose Memorial Baseball Tournament, held at Spec Pond Recreational Facility on Boston Road in Wilbraham, Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29. The tournament is held in honor of Springfield police officer Kevin Ambrose, who was killed in the line of duty June 4, 2012, while responding to a domestic violence call. He is credited with saving the lives of a mother and her baby girl.

“He died protecting people. It’s the least we can do to show him respect and honor him in this way,” said 16-year-old Sam Roberts who volunteered at the tournament. He will be making his confirmation next year at St. Cecilia Parish in Wilbraham. Roberts also plays baseball and used to compete in the tournament. He said volunteering is his way of living his faith.

“It’s a way to help, a way to give back. He (Jesus) would want us to do what is right,” he said.

Lizzy White is also making her confirmation next year at St. Cecilia Parish. White and Roberts helped out at the concession stand.

“It gives back to the community. It’s a good cause. Jesus would want us to do this,” said White.

Rosemary Oldread, the director of the confirmation program at St. Cecilia Parish, said 10 teenagers, who needed to fulfill volunteer hours for the confirmation program, helped at the concession stand, raked the fields, and announced the games, among other tasks.

“But there’s a lot of kids who come back who have already made their confirmation, because they want to help,” said Oldread. “At confirmation you open yourself up to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In community service, you give those gifts back to the community. It’s an incredible honor to get to know the Ambrose family and to do something in a small way to honor him.”

The entire Oldread family ran the concession stand for the busy holiday weekend. Oldread’s son, Sean, is also in the confirmation program. He worked 24 hours in two days, helping with grounds keeping and announcing duties.

“This is my fourth year doing this. I would do it either way. It’s such a good cause and I love being around baseball,” the 15-year-old said.

“I feel this is something Jesus would encourage you to do,” he continued.

Carla Ambrose, a member of St. Cecilia Parish, said her late husband loved his family and loved baseball. She said she has been touched the past four years by the hard work of the volunteers.

“I think they’re fabulous. They’re so helpful,” she said. She added she was especially moved by the gesture of one young man during the opening ceremony, when her name was announced.

“I loved when he came out to escort me onto the field. That was huge,” said Ambrose.

The proceeds from the tournament will benefit Christina’s House in Springfield, a Christian non-profit that provides housing and support for women and children who are homeless. The Ambrose family chose the charity. Christina’s House named a room after the fallen officer.

“We wanted to dedicate a room to Kevin because he died to protect a mom and her child,” said Shannon Mumblo, the director of business operations for Christina’s House. “It’s a complete blessing to see the community supporting Kevin’s memory and supporting the family.”

The money raised in the previous years at the baseball tournament has helped with big-ticket items like replacing the roof as well as helping to pay for electricity, heat and food. Mumblo said people need to pray for all men and women who serve, whether in law enforcement or in the military.

“As a Christian, bringing it back to Christ dying for us, in order to save us, that’s what these people are doing every day,” Mumblo continued.

Twenty-nine teams competed at the U15, U13 and U11 levels. The champions were 28 Prints, U15; Western Mass Rebels ,U13; and the West Springfield Wildcats, U11.