CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Boston College baseball team will host the Fifth Annual ALS Awareness Game on Saturday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. against Wake Forest in honor of former captain and current director of baseball operations Pete Frates. Frates’ No. 3 jersey will be retired in a pregame ceremony beginning at 1:10 p.m.
Frates was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in March 2012 at 27 years old. Since his diagnosis, Frates, along with his family and friends, have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for the disease. In the summer of 2014, Frates championed the Ice Bucket Challenge through the use of social media. Along with the amount of awareness brought to ALS, over $200 million was raised to help find a cure. He was awarded the Sports Illustrated’s Inspiration of the Year in December of 2014 and the SportsCenter documentary detailing his journey was nominated for an Emmy.
A Beverly, Mass., native, Frates played in the outfield for the Maroon and Gold from 2004-07. A captain his senior year, he finished his BC career with 107 starts, a .228 average, 88 hits, 56 RBIs, 11 home runs and 34 stolen bases.
Along with his efforts to help find a cure for ALS and bring awareness of the disease to the public, Frates has given back to the BC baseball program. He helped create and establish Baseball Mentor Night, when former players speak to current Eagles about life after baseball, and is a constant presence around the team – sending players and coaches messages when he cannot be at the field. In 2013, he was presented with the Eddie Pellagrini Award at the team’s annual fundraiser Baseball Night in Boston. The award is given to someone who gives back to the BC baseball program.
Pellagrini’s number 13 is the only other number retired at Shea Field. Pellagrini, the winningest coach in BC baseball history, is also the namesake of the Eagles’ home diamond.
Organizations that support ALS and the Frates family have been involved with will be on hand during the game to provide information about the disease and ways to help the fight.
In each of the last four seasons, over 2,000 fans have been in attendance to show their support for a cause very close the BC community’s heart. Last year, the largest crowd in Shea Field history, 3,033 fans, attended the Eagles’ game against Georgia Tech.
