Over 30 former Melbourne Central Catholic baseball players reunite for alumni game
MELBOURNE, Fla. — The Melbourne Central Catholic Baseball program recently held its annual 鈥淎lumni Baseball Game鈥� at 鈥淭om Dooley Field鈥� on the campus of MCC. This event is held every year with around 30 to 50 former ballplayers who grew up within the MCC Baseball program returning to play in this ultra-fun event.
The inaugural Hustler Baseball Alumni game was played on December 30th, 2006. Coach Dooley states, 鈥淚 tell our players that other than playing for a championship, this is the most important game on the schedule鈥�. He adds, 鈥淚t鈥檚 an absolute joy of mine to be a part of such a wonderful group of young men and catch up with them in terms of where they are in their life with career and family. I owe these young men so much for the memories, the experiences, the love and support, and the lifelong friendships. It is often extremely humorous the events and experiences that the players recall.鈥�
The players are split up into teams of 鈥渙dd graduating years vs. even graduating years鈥�. Dooley points out, 鈥淭he best thing to witness is a player that graduated in 1990 develop a friendship with a player who graduated 20 to 30 years later. It is an incredible experience to be a part of an event that has become every bit about fellowship and socializing. I am so proud of this event.鈥� Over 30 former players showed up this year. The game was enjoyed by all who attended.
What makes this Alumni Baseball Game so special? The MCC baseball program has been coached and run since the spring of 1989 by Coach Tom Dooley, one of the most respected and currently the longest tenured high school coach of any varsity sport in Brevard County. In this being his 34th season of coaching, Coach Dooley and his young men have racked up over 600 victories to date over the years. But, if you talk to Coach Dooley, he immediately states that 鈥淲E did hit the 600-win mark last year during my time at MCC. The only reason this milestone came up is because Coach Piotrowski (one off his Assistant Coaches) somehow knew I was close and notified the school and 鈥�321 Sports鈥�. I do like to make sure that any and all wins this program earns are a 鈥榃E鈥� thing at MCC.鈥� Coach Dooley continually gives full credit to all of the fine men who have developed and played in his successful program through the years.
Coach Dooley鈥檚 Baseball program is legendary.聽 He and his athletes have been to four State Final Four appearances (1994, 2013, 2016 and 2019) and have earned two State Championships (2013 and 2019). This MCC Baseball Program was deservedly named 鈥淏revard County鈥檚 High School Sports Program of the Decade鈥� for the 2010鈥檚 by 鈥�321 Sports鈥�. Coach Dooley proudly adds that his Assistant Head Coach, Terry Henderson, has been a part of all 4 State Final Four appearances, the first in 1994 as a player, and the next three as an Assistant Coach. When asked about this alumni event, Henderson stated, “The fellowship on this day is unmatched by anything else I have ever experienced in life. I feel so fortunate and so grateful to be part of this program, and I am so thankful for Coach Dooley and his leadership.”
Coach Dooley concludes, 鈥淚 want all players to feel like they belong to something bigger than when they play. I especially want them to feel like they have a lifelong family after their MCC playing days are in the books. MCC baseball is an exceptional program, and it is because of the countless memorable experiences provided by the many special players and their families. It is very important that our current players recognize and appreciate the players that came before them that developed, maintained and honored the Hustler baseball tradition.鈥�
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