League pitches new award at season opener

The Hillsborough Little League’s

first Philip A. Monahan Spirit Award
went to 12-year-old R.J. Fanelli.
By: Charlie Olsen
   At the opening ceremony of the Hillsborough Little League early Saturday morning, the league awarded the first Philip A. Monahan Spirit Award to 12-year-old R.J. Fanelli.
   Robert Fanelli, 50, said that his son R.J. has always had a love of baseball, starting when he was less than a year old at a Toys ‘R Us.
   "I wanted to get him one of those vinyl mitts and he said no and grabbed a real leather mitt," said Mr. Fanelli of Vliet Drive. "We sat playing catch on the floor…when he was 1 or 2, he would wake up early and my wife would pitch him Wiffle balls in the basement."
   Stacy Fanelli, said that she was thrilled that her son was the first one to win the award.
   "He has a never-quit attitude and he loves baseball," said Ms. Fanelli. "He does whatever needs to be done, he plays several positions and he’s a very coach-able kid. We’re very proud."
   Philip A. Monahan was a 9-year-old boy known as the "idea man" and the "leader of the pack" at Triangle School and for his enthusiasm about baseball. Philip died three days after he collapsed and slipped into unconsciousness at a Mets game at Shea Stadium in New York in 2002. Philip had a history of cardiac problems, although the family said the doctors ruled out heart failure as cause of death.
   According to Anthony Schulz, the information officer for the Little League board of directors, the Monahan family reviewed all of the nominees, who were boys and girls, ages 8 to 12. The award was conceptualized and created to honor Philip Monahan’s "enthusiasm, determination, spunky attitude and courageous approach" to life.
   R.J., who at 13 years old is the same age that Philip would be if he were alive today, never knew or played baseball with Philip, but he knew of him through two friends. He could not be reached for comment because of Little League practice.
   According to Mr. Schulz, a plaque will be placed at the concession stand in R.J.’s honor and he will receive a savings bond from the Monahans.
   "Lives to play baseball and loves to play baseball," said Mr. Fanelli. "He’s a throwback kid — he’s like I was when I was growing up — he’s always got a mitt on and he’s always outside."