THE MEDFORD INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT IS CELEBRATING ITS EIGHTEENTH YEAR OF COMPETITION. WE ARE A NON-PROFIT, ALL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION. THE GOAL OF OUR ORGANIZATION IS SIMPLE; TO TEACH KIDS THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BASEBALL AND SPORTSMANSHIP.

THE ORIGINAL IDEA FOR THE TOURNAMENT CAME FROM WATCHING DIFFERENT LEAGUES IN THE SAME CITY COMPETE. WE WONDERED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ALL LEAGUES IN A CITY WERE ABLE TO COMBINE THEIR BEST PLAYERS FOR AN ALL-STAR GAME. THE FIRST TOURNAMENT WAS ONLY A WEEKEND AFFAIR WITH FOUR TEAMS COMPETING. TODAY TEN TEAMS COMPETE OVER A TWO WEEK TOURNAMENT.

SINCE ITS INCEPTION, OVER TWO THOUSAND BALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE MIT. MANY OF THESE PARTICIPANTS HAVE GONE ON TO HAVE GREAT COLLEGE CAREERS AND EVEN PLAYED IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE A SMALL PART IN THESE ATHLETE'S BASEBALL CAREER. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING MEMORABLE "LIFE MOMENTS" THAT THESE KIDS WILL CARRY WITH THEM THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

THE SUCCESS OF THE TOURNAMENT IS THE COMMITMENT TO GOOD BASEBALL. IN 2001, THE MIT INSTITUTED A "ZERO TOLERANCE" POLICY, WHICH HELPS US CONTROL UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT. THE POLICY IS JUST THAT, ZERO TOLERANCE. IF A PLAYER INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY DISPLAYS UNSPORTSMAN-LIKE CONDUCT AT THE PARK, THE PLAYER IS IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM THE GAME. THE TEAMS ARE WARNED PRIOR TO THE OPENING GAME OF THIS POLICY. THE BENEFIT OF THE POLICY IS THAT IT LEAVES NO ROOM FOR INTERPRETATION OR OPINION. THE ACT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. THE LAST THING THE MIT WOULD WANT TO DO IS SUSPEND A CHILD FROM THIS GREAT EXPERIENCE. THE POLICY IS THERE TO PROTECT EVERYONE ON THE FIELD AND TO INSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE BASEBALL GAME.

DURING THE 2007 SEASON, THE MIT ADDED THE FIRST EVER "MIT CHALLENGER DAY" TO OUR TOURNAMENT. THE CHALLENGER DIVISION IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG ATHLETES WITH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ENJOY THE GAME OF BASEBALL. WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US ON THIS SPECIAL DAY. IT IS THE BEST BASEBALL EVER!

THE MOST UNIQUE PART OF THIS TOURNAMENT IS THE FANS. THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN. WE PROVIDE THE GREAT BASEBALL PLAY, THE GREAT FOOD, AND THE GREAT MUSIC, YOU PROVIDE THE PARTICIPATION. IT IS NOT MANY TOURNAMENTS THAT STOP THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH THE TROPHY ON THE LINE TO ENJOY A RENDITION OF "SWEET CAROLINE" OR PERHAPS OUR SIGNATURE "YMCA" DANCE. WE ASK THAT YOU LEAVE ALL YOUR TROUBLES AT THE FRONT GATE AND COME JOIN US FOR THE FUN OF THE GAME. DESPITE THE HIGH LEVEL OF COMPETITION, THESE ATHLETES WILL MAKE MISTAKES. SOME OF THE MISTAKES MAY COST YOUR TEAM A WIN. WE WANT YOU TO REMEMBER AFTER ALL THAT THIS IS A GAME AND GAMES WERE INVENTED TO HAVE FUN. SO SIT BACK AND RELAX UNTIL YOUR FAVORITE SONG COMES UP AND CHEER ON THESE KIDS AS THEY PLAY THE GAME OF SUMMER!

IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE OR YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, PLEASE COME BY THE SCORER'S TABLE AND LET US KNOW.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SOMETIMES WE EVEN LISTEN.

SINCERELY,



RON GIOVINO
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR