1. September 7, 2002, Saturday, was a perfect, late summer day. The morning, with its nearly cloudless sky, was decidedly cool, just right for the energetic softball "game" that was about to begin. Dew covered everything. A light ground fog waxed and waned over the the first two hours.

2. By the stroke of 6:00 AM, only a handful of hardy souls for each "team" had arrived, some admitting that they had rolled out of bed less than 30 minutes before. Most brought with them their favorite bat, glove and spikes.

3. The marathon was supported by more than a crowd of age-defying jocks; several youngsters joined the play during periods of the day, even a couple teens. Stephanie "S", at bat, was one of the faithful, daylong youths who hung in there and went the distance!

4. Fueled by a little java sunshine and propelled by more than a little banter, the teams took to the field for a day of play, despite the wet grass and a sticky infield.

1. The dusk of morning was not enough to illuminate the field at first, so the lights were turned on in advance. It seemed that the light ground fog got the heaviest a short time before sunrise allowing for this scene. No one seemed to mind.

2. As the low sun finally broke through the haze, Sean Keane (one of Richard's sons) came to bat. Since this was a rather relaxed marathon, he chose to catch and return a less than desirable pitch. Oh, yes, this was slow pitch softball, very slow pitch at that.

3. With the low sun making the red soil even redder, Brian took a turn at bat, one of MANY during the day.

4. He was followed by Doug Cobb who was waiting in the wings in the previous picture. Both Brian and Doug were members of the "visitor's" team.

1. Though he claimed to be a "500" hitter, Paul Huffman, organizer of the day's event, later said: "I did have several hits early in the day but tired in the p.m. hours" (as dud everyone else). Nonetheless, he spent the day trying. His last at bat was a hit as was his organization of this event.

2. Sean returned to bat a little later, shown here limbering up at the plate.

3. The designated "home team" shown here was based on a significant contingent from Steve Kelly's "Old Town Cafe" in Old Wethersfield, where the beer is cold, the conversations are animated, friendships are welded, and the stories are, well, long....

4. Stephanie on base, ready to run. The adults who played took special care to encourage, protect and cater to the children at bat, on the bases and in the field. Because of this, the day was nearly free of significant injuries.

1. Mike "K" at home plate. As the day continued, players chose to change shirts made sweaty and dirty by hard play. At times it seemed that more had played during the day than did, considering the appearance of people in different color shirts and hats.

2. Everybody wants to be an umpire, even 13 month old Abigail "M" who obviously had just learned to walk, wave and throw kisses. Her dad Tom was close at hand having taken Abigail for a ride in the bicycle kaboose.

3. Rushing to get out of the door and to the field, Judy Keane (Richard's wife) was surprised by the brisk morning air. Borrowing a jacket and a wool blanket, she faced the sun-drenched field eventually warming up a couple hours later.

4. Both the Keane Foundation and Mikey's Place have learned that the generosity of Wethersfield citizens and businesses is a credit to their humanity and the town. George Lombardo's "L&L Caterers" provided significant help in provisioning the calorie burning players and volunteers around noon time. Here (l-r) Emily Lombardo, and nieces Bianca and Briana help to distribute scrumptious hotdogs and hamburgers.

1. Looking very much a pro, John Beady is about to fire one into right center field. Shadows are shorter now, a comfort to all on the field.

2. The backstop at home base was adorned with the banner of the Keane Foundation and an American flag all day long.

3. Dad lends a hand with his son's batting. His son was probably the youngest child to play that day, excelling at running the bases. {Please ID if you can.}

4. "AJ" however was old enough to want to do it all by himself. He waits for the pitch, delivered closer and slower for the wee ones.

1. Alyssa (AJ's sister) took her turn at bat and eventually scored a run.

2. The diamond on which the game was held is referred to variously as "the lighted field at Mill Woods', or Field #1 or Fusco Field, in the center of Wethersfield. Dominic Fusco, Sr, is honored by this field stone designating him the eponym of this field.

3. Another image of the softball marathon around 1:00 PM with the sun high and the shadows as short as they got. By now everyone was tired but determined to play on. Additional beverages and Italian ice helped too.

4. Timothy Keane (another of Richard's sons) with his daughter McKenzie pause for an interview with a video-reporter from Hartford television Channel 3.

1. The logo of Mike Lombardo's "L&L Caterers" on the side of his truck.

2. For all to see, Rogo Distrubutor & 'Miller Lite'-donated sign for the Softball Marathon hung at the entrance of the parking lot near Fusco Field. Fortunately there was no rain, only shine; the players would have played regardless.

3. The nearly filled parking lot near Field #1 where the Keane Foundation's Softball Marathon was held.

4. "AJ" on the field (third base) moves in to make a catch late in the day. The falling western sun made pitching (and right fielding) a challenge.

1. The long 12-hour day of play drawing to a close, runners jog between the bases, rather than run.

2. Pitching or catching (in right field) with the setting sun in your eyes makes the game more difficult and more dangerous; everything and everyone slows down, eagerly watching the clock for the stroke of six.

3. The players who remained at the end of the day, many of whom played the entire day (ouch!), gathered in center field just behind second base where the Recreation and Parks department crew closely mowed the field and painted "NEVER FORGET" in the turf.

4. A better shot of the players and the reminder to "NEVER FORGET" the events of 9/11/2001.

NOTE: Please help us at Wethersfield.Net. If we have failed to correctly identify you or someone you feel should have been identified in the above images, please let us know and we will give them credit. If you have information which will enhance our visitors' understanding of what is presented here, let us know and we may include it here in a revision.
It is our policy not to identify children by their last names. Though you may need to provide us with their full name (to aid in identification) only their first names will be published on our site. Email Dr.Ken via the 'feedback' link below.