Gary Fischer, a “Hometown Hero”

Special to Roy Hobbs Baseball

Gary Fischer photo 1Roy Hobbs veteran Gary Fischer has been selected by the Bridgeton N.J. Chamber of Commerce for one of its Community Hero Awards for 2024.

And, par for the course, it is a result of his love of baseball and the town where he lives.

Gary is a 2021 inductee into the Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame and is being singled out for this award for his efforts to rejuvenate the Bridgetown Invitational Tournament, a high velocity event for 18+ players in New Jersey and surrounding states.

“I was very surprised when I was told about it,” Fischer said, “as I did not know much about it. But it is really nice to be recognized in your hometown.”  He is one of 6 “heroes” for 2024, each for particular contributions to his home of Cumberland County, his being sports, specifically baseball.  “Heroes” are selected by a committee of county officials.

Fischer grew up in Hopewell Township, site of Bridgeton.

The Bridgeton Chamber newsletter, announcing the award, says this:

“Gary has baseball in his blood, and a history of participation in the Bridgeton Invitational Tournament beginning as a player in 1979, and other years, playing on 7 different teams. He has the tournament record as most games played, was on two tournament championship teams, and was selected as Most Valuable Player.

“It was only fitting that when this historic tournament, a long-time Bridgeton tradition, faced challenges threatening its continuance, the tournament committee turned to Gary Fischer to head the event and find ways to turn things around,” reads the Chamber announcement.

“Gary agreed to step up to serve as Executive Director of the tournament in 2017. With innovative ideas, including changing the date from August to May, his energetic and dedicated leadership, and the support of other leaders, volunteers, teams, and the community, the Bridgeton Invitational Tournament has continued. He remains the Executive Director heading into 2025,” it continued.

“’Like Gary Fischer who stepped up to save a community tradition, all our 2024 award recipients with their amazing accomplishments and community spirit, exemplify what we call hometown heart, and clearly are people who love where they live,’ said Randi Galan, Co-chair of the Awards Committee.

When Fischer took over in 2017, the Bridgeton 18+ event was 17-long August days for 14-16 teams; attendance in the stands and on the field was declining as local leagues were playing longer into August.

He moved the event to May, shortened it to 8 days and made it more exclusive, catering to 8-10 teams in a double-elimination format with all the games still played at historic Adlen Field, which was built in 1963 to host the 16-under Babe Ruth World Series.  The Bridgton event started several years later.

“I grew up here,” Fischer said, “and as a kid I would go to the games and Alden Field was my field of dreams; my goal was to be able to play on that field.”  It was a dream to come true as a pitcher and middle infielder, for many years.  He retired from 18+ baseball in 2015.

Gary Fischer photo 2Fischer’s changes limited the number of teams, but, he said, the event is in the black and he gets quite a few requests for slots from teams from New Jersey and surrounding states.

Fischer has more than 40 years with Durand Manufacturing in Millville, N.J., and is currently the Superintendent of Packing & Warehousing.  In 2006 he opened a Training/Hitting Facility that provides fielding, catching and hitting coaching for both softball and baseball players. Gary also helped coach at West Cumberland Little League for 10-plus years when his two sons were involved. He is the proud father of his two sons, Gary and Darren, and a proud grandfather of three, the Chamber release said.

He will be honored at a black-tie banquet.

And, he will be back at the 2024 Roy Hobbs World Series as a member of the Bergen Yankees.

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