A hit of a fundraiser: Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tourney returns to Kennebunk

Special to Seacoastonline
·4 min read

KENNEBUNK — The Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation Wiffle Ball Tournament is a home run, nine years later.

What did Tommy love most about his summers and Kennebunk? Family and friends, of course, and he loved playing Wiffle Ball with his best friends in his backyard or at “The Hose.”

So, after the tragic loss of Tommy in July 2012 at the age of 25, his family and friends sought to find healing by establishing the Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation (TMCF).

Opening pitch for the Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament is 8 a.m. Saturday, July 30.
Opening pitch for the Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament is 8 a.m. Saturday, July 30.

Their first big event was the Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament, and it was an immediate hit. Not only did it give them a reason to laugh together again, it became the signature fundraiser for the organization on a mission to fund recreational facilities and programs in the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport community.

“We have been blessed to receive incredible support from many, many friends, local sponsors, and the Kennebunk-Arundel-Kennebunkport community since the inception of the Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation,” said Tom McNamara, who co-founded TMCF with life-long friend Dave Sweetser. “Our annual tournament has been successful each year and has allowed us to raise adequate funds to support a growing number of local recreational programs.”

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During 2022, TMCF plans to eclipse $600,000 in contributions to fund local projects and programs. Among the highlights: River Tree Arts’ new portable dance stage for youth dance programs; Mobi-Mat wheelchair access pad at Mother’s Beach; Special Surfers Nights at Kennebunk Beach; inclusive playground at Kennebunk Elementary School, as a major contributor; new pitching machines for Kennebunk High School baseball and softball teams; and mats for Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Youth Wrestling Organization.

Other projects include new safety helmets for all players in the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Youth Football Association; Hope Woods Trail to help develop the universally accessible nature trail; Kennebunk Skate Park, as a major contributor; and Sia's Memorial Garden at Kennebunk Elementary School.

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In 2020 when all summer rec programs were suspended, the nonprofit also helped sponsor the weekly “Cool Bus” program, which delivered clothing and fun activities to local schoolchildren.

The very first project was to design and build the Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Field behind Washington Hose Company in Lower Village in 2013. This is a world-class Wiffle Ball Park, complete with covered seating pavilions behind the fence in both left and right field. In addition to providing a great facility for local kids and families, the new field paved the way for the annual Wiffle Ball Tournament, which has always been fully subscribed by returning teams quickly.

The annual Wiffle Ball Tournament has become a much-anticipated day of friendly but fierce competition among friends, much the way Tommy would have loved the tournament named in his memory.
The annual Wiffle Ball Tournament has become a much-anticipated day of friendly but fierce competition among friends, much the way Tommy would have loved the tournament named in his memory.

34 teams competing for championship cups

This year the tournament will take place on Saturday, July 30, and will feature 34 teams in three competitive divisions, each playing to win the coveted Tommy Mac Wiffle Ball Championship Cups. The weekend kicks off with the Welcome Party on Friday night; the first tournament pitch flies at 8 a.m. Saturday morning, followed by a full day of friendly – but fierce – competition. The event concludes with a fun night of awards, music, and merriment under the tent at Webhannet Golf Club. The tournament is always open to spectators and sponsors looking to cheer them on.

Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament on Saturday, July 30, will feature a full day of friendly – but fierce – competition. The roster with 34 teams is full, but the tournament is always open to spectators and sponsors looking to cheer them on.
Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament on Saturday, July 30, will feature a full day of friendly – but fierce – competition. The roster with 34 teams is full, but the tournament is always open to spectators and sponsors looking to cheer them on.

As of July 18, sponsors include the Portland Sea Dogs and Dannah for Men, Pack Maynard Real Estate, Bennett’s Sandwiches, The Pilot House, Renewals by Andersen, Ryan’s Corner House, Hurricane Restaurant, Batson River Brewing & Distilling, Harrison Development, Kitchen Chicks, Hillcrest Driving Range, Coffee Roasters of the Kennebunks, Green Tangerine, Kennebunkport Marina, Sea Your Happy Place, Paket Corporation and Randome Services LLC.

“We have to raise money to give it away,” said Sue Rioux, a board member and family friend of the McNamaras. “TMCF is a very, very special mission close to my heart, and you know where the money goes directly to our community. There’s no ‘a portion of the proceeds going to our projects, it’s 100% all going to the cause.”

Two other regular fundraisers throughout the year include the virtual annual Masters Pool and the Tommy Mac Bar Crawl in Boston.

The Wiffle Ball Tournament is the signature fundraiser, though, and sponsors are still needed to reach this year’s goal.

“We are so thankful for the generosity of those who have donated to support our mission, which ultimately will enable more children and adults to enjoy outdoor activities within our beautiful community,” said McNamara.

For information, visit www.tommymacfoundation.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tourney returns to Kennebunk Maine