Middletown

The community that plays together, wins together! If you haven’t heard about the hardworking Middletown community organization M.O.T. Big Ball you should keep reading! The annual 24 hour Big Ball Marathon supports the Middletown, Odessa, Townsend community year round through various avenues. I’ve had the opportunity to meet the hardworking group of people that go above and beyond to support to their community year round – they are amazing!

 If you don’t have plans for Labor Day weekend, keep that calendar clear! Sign up for a team or stop by Silver Lake Park in Middletown, Delaware August 29th & 30th for family fun, live music, face painting, games, good food and sportsmanship for a good cause. 

  24 Hours of Fun For Everyone! This very unique fundraising event draws thousands of people from the Delaware community to watch softball games, participate in family fun activities and raise money for the Middletown Community. The actual softball tournament was the most fun I’ve ever had at any fundraiser. Ever. Playing in the M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon was like being in gym class again and the length of gym class depends on how many games you want to play! I played in three games last year with three different teams. It was actually the first time I’ve ever played in a softball game so I was pretty happy that it truly is a ball the size of a grapefruit. Teams are from all over Delaware – companies, radio stations, schools, sports teams, friends, clubs and there are even teams that play with their furry friends – dogs and horses! It is a great way to get the whole family involved in giving back to the Middletown community – children of all ages can participate and I even brought my dog Wolfgang along with me who loved playing in the outfield!  

Marathon Teams A significant piece of the tournament is the four marathon teams that play for 12 hours straight against the hourly individual teams. I’m not sure how they do it but they were positive and upbeat the whole time.    

  What does the M.O.T. Big Ball do?  The M.O.T. Big Ball Committee is dedicated to supporting those who need it most in the surrounding areas of the Middletown community. In addition to supporting other initiatives within the community, the funds raised from the M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon efforts provide a safety net fund to help families throughout the year who might experience an unforeseen job loss, illness or other startling life change. Over the past 16 years, the M.O.T. Big Ball tournament has raised over $500,000 for the Middletown community.

In 2013 alone, the annual Labor Day tournament raised over $63,000! Proceeds from the M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon supports many local organizations including: – The M.O.T. Big Ball committee has provided over $75,000 to the New Castle County Habitat for Humanity – M.O.T. Big Ball helps provide the roofs for the Habitat for Humanity homes built in Middletown. – Supports Positive Behavior Support (PBS) in the area’s schools. – Provide school supplies for the Appoquinomink School District – Neighborhood House, Freedom Center for Independent Living, Kellen Poultney Scholarship Fund, M.O.T. Special Olympics, The Everett Theatre, The Gibby Theater, Boys & Girls Club, Youth for Christ, Amazing Grace Ministries and the M.O.T. Senior Center. How You Can Help: – Tell your friends! Show support for M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon by connecting with them on Facebook – Donate directly to the community fund online. Every dollar counts. – Play! Join a marathon team (you brave soul)! – Play! Put a team together to play August 29th or August 30th for one game. M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon Starts: August 29th at 6:00 pm Location: Silver Lake Park 200 East Cochran Street Middletown, Delaware 19709

For more information, visit the M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon website or contact: Kate Rokosz Email: [email protected] Phone: (302) 379-1531