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Teachers to Coach Bravehearts

Teachers Night
School is officially out for the summer, but nine teachers in Central Massachusetts will have to go to work one more day before they start their summer vacation. In honor of Teacher’s Appreciation Night at the Worcester Bravehearts on Monday, June 17th at 6:30 PM, the team will allow nine local teachers to take the field as Bravehearts coaches.
 
Each of the nine teachers will receive a custom jersey and cap, on-field recognition during the pre-game ceremonies, and a block of seats to share with friends and family. When the game begins, each teacher will be assigned one inning as the first base coach and will be welcomed on the field in full uniform.
 
All school employees will get free admission to Monday’s game simply by showing their employee badge.
 
“It’s an idea we had back in February at an office brainstorming session,” said General Manager Dave Peterson. “As soon as we began laughing about what it would look like, I texted our Manager Alex Dion and he said he’d be on-board with it. So here we are!”
 
The Bravehearts ran an online contest in the month of May asking for students to nominate their teachers for the contest — which was also open to any school employee including administrators, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers. The team received 54 different nominations for the nine spots, and they pared down the list based on the most compelling entries written by students and parents. 
 
The final list of honorees includes:
    • Bob Bartelson - Medway High School
    • Mary Anne Bryant - Marion E. Zeh Elementary School (Northboro)
    • Quinn Cavaco - Fallbrook Elementary School (Leominster)
    • Rachael Fletcher - Ayer-Shirley Middle School
    • David Mawson - Doherty Memorial High School (Worcester)
    • Gina Nieves - Bartlett High School (Webster)
    • Sean Reid - Auburn Middle School
    • Lorraine Sullivan - Boylston Public Schools
    • David Vilandre - St. Peter Marian High School (Worcester)
 
Teacher David Mawson of Doherty Memorial High School— who was nominated by 16 separate people and slated to retire this year— tweeted his thanks on Tuesday, June 11th: “I just found out I’m going to be recognized during Teacher Appreciation night at the @WooBaseball game Monday, June 17. Many thanks to Kevin Racine (and several others, apparently) who nominated me. I’ll do my best to represent DMHS (of E).”
 
A first base coach typically assists in the direction of baserunners, helps to prevent pickoffs, and relays signals sent from the manager in the dugout to runners and batters. Each of the teacher-coaches is expected to wear a lavalier microphone during Monday’s game in order to capture the amusing conversations that may occur when they are talking to the players at first base.
 
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Tickets for this game and all Worcester Bravehearts games are now on sale here or by calling 508-438-3773. Some games have limited seating availability. All school employees receive free admission on June 17th and gates will open at 5:30 PM. Fans wishing to sit near their teachers while they are on the field should choose seating in sections C, D, or E.