The wiffleball bats will be swinging and the spectators' cheers will be heard once again at the J.B. Sports Complex at I-470 on May 17 at noon, as Wheeling Central Catholic High School hosts the eighth Annual Matt Velez Wiffleball Tournament. About 40 five-member teams have registered to play in what promises to be an exciting, fun-filled Sunday afternoon.

The Wiffleball Tournament is held in memory of Matt Velez, a former Central student who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during his gym class in November 2001. Matt was given CPR immediately and the emergency squad arrived within 10 minutes and was able to restart his heart. But despite the quick medical attention, Matt had suffered brain damage and died one week later surrounded by his family.

The 15-year-old was born with congenital heart defects, but had lived a very active life. His only medical restrictions were to avoid high-impact sports such as football and soccer. Having a deep love for baseball, Matt and his high school friends decided to form a wiffleball league and enjoyed getting together for casual games. In fact, Matt was the league's first annual "Most Valuable Player." Central Spanish Teacher Kelly Wilson was co-leader of Matt's Peer Ministry Leadership Group in 2001. She conducted monthly Peer Ministry meetings for Central's junior class to foster open communications among students and to promote prayer and a sense of community within the students' lives.

"Matt was such a wonderful, giving person and loved by all those who knew him," Wilson said. "When he passed away, his Peer Ministry Group wanted to do something really special to honor his memory and decided to organize an event that truly showcased one of Matt's greatest loves - wiffleball. Six months after his death, the kids held the first Matt Velez Wiffleball Tournament, and the tradition has continued ever since."

Wilson said both students and alumni participate in the tournament, each team having its own theme and uniforms. "There's always so much excitement in the school as the Wiffleball Tournament approaches," Wilson said.

"It's the only Central sporting event in which all the students can participate. The kids really look forward to it each and every year."

Matt's mother, Mary Velez, says she continues to be amazed by the Central students' enthusiasm for the event. "I get very emotional when I think about how much the kids do for this tournament," Velez said. "I just can't believe they have continued to do it every year. I know it was important for Matt's friends to have the tournament, but now kids that never knew Matt are doing so much to keep his memory alive." The Velez family also plays in the tournament, using the event as an annual get-together for relatives living as far away as New Jersey.

The tournament proceeds, which are generated from donations, concessions, and t-shirt sales, are donated to the "Matt Velez Save A Life Campaign," a project spearheaded by Mary Velez upon her son's death. The project's mission is to provide CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness and training to staff members at schools and businesses so they can respond to emergencies and provide the needed CPR and early defibrillation that is critical to surviving a cardiac arrest.

This year, the Matt Velez Save A Life Campaign has chosen to use the tournament proceeds to purchase an AED for Crittenton Services, Inc., an agency which services young women, most of whom are pregnant or parenting or both, as well as women who need behavioral health treatment.

The agency currently has 43 residential clients and 150 staff members, including psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses, social workers, counselors and crisis prevention/behavioral specialists. "We're so happy to do this for Crittenton," said Velez. "The purchased AED will also be pediatric adaptable for the children who reside there. And any remaining tournament funds," she said, "will be donated to the family of Lindsey Harden, a Central senior who is currently undergoing significant rehabilitation after a severe car accident this past winter."

So what started as a small, school-wide memorial tribute has grown significantly over the years, impacting so many lives in the Ohio Valley. "Through Central, we purchased our first AED in 2001 and, today, over 100 AEDs have been purchased and over $100,000 raised," Velez said. She added that the typical AED unit costs $1,600. As director of the Matt Velez Safe A Life Campaign, Velez has talked with public, private and Catholic school officials throughout the state, as well as to Ohio school officials.

Her message, however, is not only focused on the importance of having the AED unit on site, but also the importance of upkeep, namely replacing the AED's electrodes and batteries on a routine basis.

Any school or business interested in CPR/AED training and AED unit information, can contact Mary Velez, director of the Matt Velez Safe A Life Campaign, at 304-234-8643. For information about the eighth Annual Matt Velez Wiffleball Tournament, please contact Kelly Wilson at 304-233-1660.