VERO BEACH — The Treasure Coast Hurricanes travel baseball club held a marathon benefit baseball game Sunday at Bob Summers Field to help raise money for Brian Simpson, the Vero Beach resident who was tragically murdered in November after walking in on two men burglarizing his home.
Simpson is survived by his wife of 19 years, Kristen, and two children, 15-year-old Samantha and 14-year-old Scott.
“While the event is an opportunity to help the family financially during the aftermath of the tragedy, it is also a chance for our baseball community to formally honor Simpson’s love for both his family and the game,” said Maria Lawson, event organizer.
Hundreds gathered at the baseball field throughout the benefit event, including special guests such as Jarrod Saltalamacchia, starting catcher for the Boston Red Sox and former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers Ron Perranowski.
Sunday’s benefit event was filled with family fun activities. Booths covered the grounds: a dunk tank, pulled pork sandwiches, a speed ball pitching cage, Cajun food, fresh squeezed lemonade, Major Baseball League player autograph stations, and a silent auction of vintage baseball memorabilia, local business passes and gift certificates.
“I just want to thank everyone who came out today to honor my dad, especially to the Lawson family and the community,” said Scott Simpson. “They have been so nice to us.”
“I am grateful for all the people who care,” said Samantha Simpson, an athlete in her own right as a swimmer at Sebastian River High School. “Our family is incredibly grateful.”
“I just get through each day, one day at a time,” Kristen, wife of Brian Simpson and mother of Scott and Samantha, “This is an amazing day, but an emotional day.”
John Carroll, step-father of Hurricane player, Jordan Mazzarella, explained how the event developed.
“The Saturday after the tragedy happened in November there was a double header scheduled, which of course was cancelled. However the kids wanted to go the field to show honor to Scott and his dad.”
“So we all came together to this field and gathered on the mound, stood in a circle, and prayed,” Carroll continued. “There they were, 13- and 14-year-old boys, all surrounding Scott. They stood together talking, hugging and sharing stories. Then, spontaneously, they started picking up baseballs. Before you knew it, they started throwing balls back and forth and playing around the field, just like boys do. Brian would have wanted it exactly that way.”
It was that morning that the idea of the Brian Simpson Baseball Day was born.
Scott’s friend and team mate, Jordan Mazzarella said to his parents after that morning, “What else can we do? We have to be able to help Scott and his family. How about a benefit ballgame?”
, “I saw how devastating this was and I just wanted to do something. This has been such a tough time, I felt helpless. I just wanted to help my awesome friend,” Jordan said, adding he was thrilled with the outcome and the outpouring of love from the community on Sunday morning.
His idea turned into a day of celebration and love.
Laughter filled the air as the splash of the dunk tank could be heard in the background. But the loss of a devoted father, a wonderful man, was evident. 41-year-old Brian Simpson, described as the “perfect dad” was felt by all.
“I especially want to thank my friend, Jordan,” young Scott Simpson said as the two boys glanced at each other with a smile shared of an experience of unspeakable pain. “I am grateful to have friends.”
“I just hope everyone remembers how fast things can change,” said Kristen. “We were lucky to have had Brian as long as we did, but we lost him too soon.”