SLAMdiabetes
What's This All About?
Type 1 diabetes....and lots of fun! The 1st Annual SLAMDiabetes Wiffle Ball Tournament is all about having a great time and while teaming up to defeat lethal disease that's anything but fun. It provides an opportunity for hundreds of players, spectators and supporters to help us raise public awareness about Type 1 diabetes, fund diabetes camp scholarships for kids and support research for a cure.
What Are The Day's Events?
Twelve teams will play some competitive, fun wiffle ball in front of fans and spectators at the world's greatest wiffle ball venue, Little Fenway and Little Wrigley in Essex, Vermont. Events include:
- Opening Ceremonies, including Team Introductions and Ceremonial First Pitch.
- 12 teams, four divisions, two games minimum.
- Playoffs for the top teams from each division, culminating in the tournament Championship Game.
- Home Run Derby: Anyone can sign up!
- Kids and Celebrities Game.
- Awards Presentation: Championship Trophy, Tournament MVP, Team Spirit, Player MVP, Best Uniform and Play-of-the-Day Awards
- Silent Auction
What If I Can't Wait?
Spring Training videos and tips are coming soon, including Team and Player profiles and lots more. Join us at Facebook, jump into our Twitter conversation, or register for upcoming newsletters at the top of this page. There's going to be a lot going on as we approach tournament day!
How Can I Participate?
There are plenty of ways you can join us: Start a team, enter our free agency draft to join a team, volunteer, support a team with your donation or come out to Little Fenway on the 25th to watch some Wiffle Ball and have some fun! To start a team or enter free agency, or if you'd like to volunteer, email us at info@slamdiabetes.com or fill out the form below. All proceeds go directly to support the tournament and its beneficiaries, all difference makers in the fight against Type 1 diabetes. There are also lots of great sponsorship opportunities, so please check them out. Please note that because we as sponsors are not a tax-exempt entity, your donation is not tax-deductible.
I Really Don't Know Much About Type 1 Diabetes....
Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the most severe form of a disease that accounts for more than $100 billion in annual U.S. health care costs. Usually striking before the age of 30, Type 1 diabetes takes a harsh toll on people. Not only will they be insulin-dependent for life, but devastating life-limiting and life-shortening complications such as blindness, amputation, heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure are an ever-present threat. Insulin isn't a cure...it's merely life support.
Type 1 diabetes is destructive both to children and to childhood. You can't outgrow it. Controlling the disease requires 24/7/365 vigilance and imposes a grueling regimen. It includes eating a carefully calculated diet, checking blood glucose levels several times each day (by lancing a finger) and insulin injections--as many as six per day--or delivery of insulin through a pump...just to stay alive. It means children and families living by the clock, day and night, for the rest of their lives--lives that average about 15 years less than normal. We encourage you to contact any of the tournament beneficiaries listed below to learn more about Type 1 diabetes.
Who Benefits?
Children with Type 1 diabetes. Through SLAMDiabetes, this year's tournament will support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.org), Joslin Diabetes Center (www.joslin.org), Barton Center for Diabetes Education (www.bartoncenter.org), and the Diabetes Research Institute (www.diabetesresearch.org).
To learn more, call 802.899.3070, write us at info@slamdiabetes.com, or fill out our form below. We look forward to hearing from...and seeing you at the ballpark!
