WORCESTER — At Paxton Day at Polar Park on Saturday, Sept. 3, Paxton residents helped raise at least $885 for Tyler’s Teammates, a WooSox Foundation program that honors the memory of Tyler Trudell, who peacefully passed away May 13, 2021.
The cheerful 13-yearold enjoyed hiking, fishing and spending time with his family and friends, but more than anything, he loved to play baseball — and adored his teammates. His story resonated with the entire front office at the Worcester Red Sox.
Lynn Trudell, Tyler’s mother, started making bracelets in his memory with her friends, and funds flowed in. The Trudell family wanted to provide other children with the opportunity to love baseball, so they partnered with the WooSox Foundation to establish Tyler’s Teammates, which helps local kids afford the equipment and registration fees required to play diamond sports. The program was established this past Valentine’s Day at Paxton Center School, where Tyler was a student.
The Trudell family was honored Sept. 3 as the club’s Hometown Hero, and Tyler’s father, Steve Trudell, and Tyler’s brother, Zachary, simultaneously presented their Ceremonial First Pitch.
Then, as the “Heart of Worcester,” the Trudell family met a group of local children at T.L.K. Sports who benefited from their generosity. One of the youngsters walked up to Lynn Trudell and thanked her for “helping me play baseball.”
All 18 children were joined behind home plate by WooSox mascots Smiley Ball and Woofster the WonderDog, as well as WooSox President Dr. Charles Steinberg, to say, “Play ball!”
Before the performance of the national anthem, sung by Paxton Center School sixth-grader Mya Domineck, all 7,000 fans in attendance that day watched the flagpole beyond centerfield as the official Tyler’s Teammates flag was raised. The flag was then gifted to the Trudells.
Fans can continue to support the Tyler’s Teammates program by purchasing bracelets at the WooSox Team Store and at Ten West Market in Paxton.
