“House” calls out one player.

During another round, the word “bingo” is heard.

On Feb. 5, the cafeteria of the Salisbury Middle School was transformed into a bingo hall.

It was a fundraiser to help the Salisbury boys junior varsity/varsity baseball teams get updated equipment and uniforms, as well as give an opportunity for Salisbury to show the players the home-based support they have with the season about to start.

“This is a fundraiser for the boys’ baseball teams, for both the JV and varsity. And funds will be used to purchase equipment which otherwise we would not have gotten. For our plans this year is that we got new uniforms. We are going to outfit every player with their own helmet,” Varsity Coach T.C. Cunningham explained.

He continued, saying “we will buy some smaller items … cages. We are building a bullpen, which the booster club is going to sponsor from our fundraisers like this one. There are miscellaneous things as well, such as clothing (and) windbreakers.”

The special bingo hall was packed, with all 250 spots filled, showing an impressive support for Falcons baseball. This did not go unnoticed by the players.

Jordan Tocci, who is a catcher on the varsity team, has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember with the Salisbury program. This will be his last season wearing a Falcons uniform.

Why is baseball so important to him?

“It’s just a sport that’s always been there for me. It helps me out with my life and it’s just fun,” Tocci said.

Tocci added, “within the baseball team, you create some really good friendships that I feel you can’t create anywhere else. We take about everyone. It’s a fun opportunity where you get to learn a lot of life skills and of course, how to play baseball.”

Reflecting on the bingo afternoon, JV Coach Jason Laky told The Press “the baseball bingo was a huge success.

“This will allow us to improve some of our equipment and compete at a higher level for years to come and get the program back to its winning ways.

“As for the upcoming season I’m hopeful with some returning players we will continue to compete at a high level and develop our young players. Looking forward to another successful season.”