In a fitting tribute to their son, Mary and Jay Fagnano’s foundation Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation, is holding its first Baseball Extravaganza this Saturday, June 18, at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks.
The event was inspired by Nick’s love of baseball, explained his dad Jay. “Nick was a fixture at Wilshire Baseball for so many years. He started as a T-Baller and played until he was 13 before moving on to play high school baseball at Notre Dame,” said Fagnano.
“While he was a player at Wilshire, he would hang out at other games he wasn’t playing in, looking for a game of catch or anything else baseball related. When he was in high school, he got up early every Saturday and Sunday during Wilshire’s baseball season and prepared the fields at John Burroughs, eliminating that job from many thankful dads. He did that until he graduated from high school, so he was involved with Wilshire Baseball for 13 years,” said Fagnano.
According to the Foundation, June 18th promises to be a special day for anyone who loves the game of baseball…and especially anyone who counted Nick Fagnano as a friend.
20 year-old Nick was accidentally killed on July 27th, 2014 when lightning unexpectedly struck Venice Beach. This Baseball Extravaganza seeks to honor Nick’s love of  baseball and the joy he brought to those around him.
All registration fees to play in the baseball or softball game, kids’ baseball clinics, and proceeds from food sales and the silent auction will go to support vulnerable children in the Dominican Republic, as well as student community service projects and high school and college scholarships in Los Angeles.
Some of the silent auction items include:
- Two tickets in the Dugout Club at Dodger Stadium (worth $1,000)
- Â Two boxes at the Hollywood Bowl
- A Star Wars Gift Basket including 4 Park Hopper Tickets to Disneyland
- Four Tickets behind the plate at Dodger Stadium
- Two Tickets behind the plate at Angels Stadium
- Two round-trip tickets on Emirates Air to Dubai
- A personal portrait of your dog (or cat) painted by Hancock Park resident and Marlborough student Ellie Atlee
The day’s schedule of events starts with check-in at 1 pm followed by:
- 1:30-3:30 pm Skills clinics with professional baseball coaches for all
pre-registered junior players (7-14 years-old) - 1:30-2:30 pm Play Like a Champion Today University of Notre Dame coaches’ clinic presented by Dr. Carrie Hastings. Invaluable insights for
coaches and parents of Little League players. - 3:30-4:00 pm  Home run derby for junior players (7-14)
- 4:00-4:30 pm  Home run derby for all baseball and softball players
- 4:30-7:00 pm Baseball game for all pre-registered baseball players varsity/former varsity high school experience
- 7:30-900 pm Softball game for all pre-registered softball players
(open to ALL guys and gals 16-60+)
Download a detailed flyer or visit www.thriveinjoy.org for more information.
Dear Patricia, Thank you for this great article about the 1st Annual Baseball Extravaganza! We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones next weekend at NDHS. Jay & I have been so grateful for all who have surrounded us with their caring support. I know June 18th is going to be a special day that reunites so many wonderful families in our community and will indeed bring joy to all who join us!