This Year's 'Home Runs For Heart' Fundraiser Event is May 7-8th
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Rain forced the event inside, but members of the local news and entertainment media took their swings today at Citizens Bank Park for the annual "Home Runs for Heart" fundraiser.
Media stars took their hacks and made contact with a lot of air, occasionally squaring one up, to promote the 17th annual Rich Ashburn fundraiser for the American Heart Association, May 7th and 8th.
Richard Ashburn says his father might like what he saw: "Just to lighten it up, he might say everybody looks 'hitterish.' "
For $400 for individuals and $1,500 for a foursome, members of the public can swing for the fences at Citizens Bank Park.
Over the years, the event has raised $1.8 million for the American Heart Association.
Also on hand today was 14-year-old Little Leaguer Dominic Longo of Seaford, Del., whose heart was knocked out of rhythm when he was struck by a pitch a year ago.
"I was batting, and I took my step and I didn't read the ball off of the pitcher's hand," Longo recalls. "And the ball hit me in the chest and the next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital."
His father, Mark, rushed to home plate to help perform CPR.
"You learn it hoping you'll never ever have to use it," Mark Longo tells KYW Newsradio. "And I never thought I would have to use it, let alone on my own son."
Funds raised by Home Runs for Heart help to improve awareness of the importance of defibrillators at sporting events.
