Charity Softball Tournament

Natchaug Hospital is well known for its prowess in the field of behavioral health. But in 2017 it made its mark on another kind of field — softball.

On Saturday, June 24, Natchaug Hospital held its first-ever charity co-ed softball tournament at Recreation Park in Willimantic. The inaugural event raised more than $4,800 for Natchaug’s child and adolescent unit.

BHN President and Hartford HealthCare Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health Pat Rehmer said the softball tournament created quite a buzz across the BHN because it is a new fundraising idea that came from frontline staff.

  • “It was a grassroots effort, and we were able to get out into the community for a good cause – it doesn’t get much better than that.”

    - Patricia Rehmer

Ben Nazario, a mental health worker on Natchaug’s child and adolescent unit and avid softball player, came up with the idea around the time that the Rushford golf tournament was being publicized.

Staff wanted to organize another fundraiser, and because Nazario and many of his co-workers already played in a Willimantic softball league, they decided to inquire about a softball tournament. East Region Behavioral Health Vice President of Operations Tom King welcomed the idea and shared it with leadership and Development Council members, who immediately supported the event.

The inaugural event, which had eight teams vying for a title, also offered attendees concessions from local food trucks, children’s activities, bake sale and a gift basket raffle.

  • “Everyone was pretty excited about it. Lots of people who don’t play softball offered to volunteer, which is great. It was a fun event for the whole family.”

    - Ben Nazario

Thank you to the softball teams and organizations that supported the event:

The Fade Masons

Friends With Benefits

Glow

JCTV Tigers

The Misfits

Plainfield PD

Raiders

Tony’s Pizza

The Visiters

Willimantic PD