Wilton Wiffle ball tournament raises $2,847 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Aces pitcher Max Bianchi throws a pitch.

Aces pitcher Max Bianchi throws a pitch. STAFF PHOTO BY MADDIE CARPENTIERE

Amanda, Shane, Ezra and Miriam Meltzer.

Amanda, Shane, Ezra and Miriam Meltzer. STAFF PHOTO BY MADDIE CARPENTIERE

The Aces celebrate their victory.

The Aces celebrate their victory. STAFF PHOTO BY MADDIE CARPENTIERE

Participants in the Wiffle ball tournament to raise money for the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society.

Participants in the Wiffle ball tournament to raise money for the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society. STAFF PHOTO BY MADDIE CARPENTIERE

The Aces consisted of Andrew Fowler, Brody Krulis, Landon Bianchi, Max Bianchi and Dylan Fowler.

The Aces consisted of Andrew Fowler, Brody Krulis, Landon Bianchi, Max Bianchi and Dylan Fowler. STAFF PHOTO BY MADDIE CARPENTIERE

By MADDIE CARPENTIERE

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 08-22-2023 2:12 PM

The Meltzer family did not whiff when it came to raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with a Wiffle ball tournament at Carnival Hill in Wilton Aug. 19. The event attracted eight teams and more than 100 spectators and raised $2,847 for the society. 

Twelve-year-old Ezra Meltzer is credited with the initial idea for the “Strike Out Cancer” tournament.

"I've always wanted to play in a Wiffle ball tournament," said Ezra, who will be a seventh-grader at WLC this fall. When he couldn't find one, he decided to create his own. His mother, Amanda Meltzer, suggested they make it a charity event, and they selected the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as her father has cancer.

"Ezra went to the town himself," Amanda said. Once permission was granted, it became a family affair. Ezra's father Shane helped prepare the fields and sister Miriam helped sell concessions during the tournament. Initially, they set a goal of $500, but reached that milestone soon after announcing the event. 

"We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the community," Amanda said. “We are already making plans for next year.” 

Each team was made up of four to six players with three fielding at a time. Each batter was granted five balls and three strikes. The tournament ended with a 4-3 walk off win by the Aces, a team of Milford boys Andrew Fowler, Dylan Fowler, Landon Bianchi, Max Bianchi and Brody Krulis, over the Screwballz, a team made up of mostly Wilton and Lyndeborough fathers.