Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 22, 2025 Beloved local Special Olympics softball team, the Bashers, played annual community game in Malden Special to the Advocate T he Bashers, a beloved Special Olympics softball team, was established more than three decades ago. The team is run by Triangle, Inc., a Malden-based nonprofit that has been serving people with disabilities and their families since 1971. On Thursday the Bashers wore their white and blue team jerseys as they played in their annual community game at Amerige Park. This year’s Bashers team has over 30 players, both men and women, who are mostly Triangle program participants. The players range in age from about 25 to over 60 years old. All abilities are welcome to play. Every spring and summer, the Bashers come together for weekly practices, an annual community scrimmage and the Massachusetts Special Olympics August Tournament. In 2023, the Bashers brought home the gold at the annual Special Olympics tournament. Last year, in 2024, the team won the silver. They’re now gearing up for the 2025 Special Olympics tournament this weekend. Shown from left to right: Coaches Janice Hart, Alex Tavares and Dawn Fucile, Mayor Gary Christenson and coaches Kaitlyn Burke and Rhiana Bartlett. Shown from left to right: Coaches Janice Hart, Alex Tavares, Dawn Fucile, Kaitlyn Burke, Rhiana Bartlett. Triangle Chief Executive Officer Rachel Kaprielian is up at bat. The pitcher, Gary, was hard at work. Matthew Rego runs to first base. Mayor Gary Christenson threw out the first pitch during last Thursday night’s annual community game at Amerige Park. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Shown from left to right: Malden Catholic Assistant Baseball Coach Anthony Galluccio, player Joseph Brienzle, Triangle Chief Executive Officer Rachel Kaprielian and players Collin Belloise, Adrian Babu, Jayden Barragan and Isaiah Warsame. Wayne Vautour took a breather on the bleachers. (Courtesy photo, Triangle Communications Manager Ava Pizziferri)
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