Brooklyn Memorial Cup For Alzheimer's Year 8

Welcome to YEAR 8!

The Brooklyn Memorial Cup For Alzheimer's is back for the EIGHTH consecutive summer, continuing its mission of raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research.

For the third straight year, our 9-inning softball game will be played at a Collegiate Baseball Field in Brooklyn, NY. 

Kingsborough Community College is granting The Brooklyn Memorial Cup for Alzheimer's the use of their home field in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, NY.

This summer, The BK Americans – a team composed of Sports Media members – are looking to get back in the win column after The BK Nationals prevented them from completing the three-peat in 2025. The BK Nationals – a team composed of Brooklyn Community members – are riding high after their fifth championship in seven years and are seeking to go back-to-back once again. 

At the end of the day, one team will hoist The Lenny DiCristino Memorial Cup. One player will distinguish him- or herself as the Morton Blittner Game MVP. And one player will distinguish themselves as the Zella Klein Defensive Player of the Game. 

The legacy of The David Gross Advocacy Award continues to grow as, for the first time ever, it will be given to two individuals, each of whom has gone above and beyond in the community to raise awareness for Alzheimer's research. 

Julie Stewart-Binks, the renowned sports broadcaster and Jason Wedge, the Director of the Manhattan Walk to End Alzheimer’s, have been selected as The 2026 Co-David Gross Advocacy Award recipients for their work and involvement with the cause. 

Game Date & Location

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Field is located at: 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn, NY, 11235

GameDay Schedule

Opening Ceremonies: 11am(EST) sharp. (Includes the presentation of The David Gross Advocacy Award) 

First Pitch: 11:30am(EST)

Spectator Information

Entry is $5 per person at the gate

Raffle Tickets will be on sale (3 for $5 or 6 for $10)

Raffle Prizes (MORE TBA)

TWO Harbor Fitness Gift Cards, each For ONE FREE MONTH, Plus a FREE 60 Minute Training Session

Mike Piazza SIGNED baseball donated by The NY Mets

$50 E-Gift Card donated by Traze Pizzaria in LIC 

Sponsor Information

The Brooklyn Memorial Cup For Alzheimer’s has named BizFund as its presenting sponsor for the third straight year.

BizFund provides short-term – three-to-12-month – funds for a range of operational needs. Typically, their clients choose to finance temporary dips in cash flow, invest in new equipment, or make time-sensitive inventory purchases. They provide funding for small and medium businesses nationwide with at least six months of operating history and a minimum of $10,000 in revenue per month in all industries. A simple online application and four months of bank statements can get you an offer in as little as four hours.

To check out more information about the sponsor, please go to https://bizfund.com/ or check them out on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/BizFundLlc/, https://twitter.com/bizfundllc/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-era-lending/ 

Streaming Information

Red Vyking Gaming is returning as the streaming partner for The Brooklyn Memorial Cup For Alzheimer’s for the sixth consecutive summer. Their Facebook and Twitch pages will carry the game’s broadcast.

For those of you who cannot make it to the park in-person, you will be able to watch/listen to the stream online. This year, we are pleased to welcome back Broadcasters Ben Smith (Manhattanville College) and Will Jing (Fordham University). We are also pleased to welcome back Statistician Stuart Honig and Broadcast Technician/PA Announcer Caitlyn Wlasiuk, as well as introduce new DJ Jack Spadaro.

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRedVykingGaming) 

Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/eriktheredttv) 

Twitter (https://twitter.com/RedVykingGaming) 

Instagram (@red_vyking_gaming)

Rosters

BK Americans Players

#5 Matthew Blittner (Sportsology.com)

#9 Michael Obernauer (Formerly NY Daily News) (Co-Captain)

#14 Nick Cahill (MSG Networks)

#17 Adam Hamway (NJ Devils PA Announcer)

#22 Erik Wlasiuk

#23 Christian Singleton (NJ Devils Team Videographer)

#24 Daniel Amoia (NJ Hockey Now)

#29 Rob Taub (NewsNation)

#31 James Lipscomb (NJ Devils Hockey Operations)

#37 Sam Sandler (Formerly The Fischler Report)

#41 Russ Cohen (SiriusXM/Sportsology.com) (Co-Captain)

#48 Rob Aitken Jr. (Bergen Record)

#54 Christian Red (Formerly NY Daily News)

#56 Andrew Gross (Newsday)

#76 Rob Del Muro (News12 LI)

BK Americans Coaches

#15 Bobby Mills (MSG Networks)

BK Nationals Players

#10 Tara Blittner-Cox

#13 Shawn Kontorov

#16 Danielle Mollo

#19 Seth Blittner (Co-Captain)

#25 Jason Russo

#26 Joseph Ruggiero

#27 Kyle Zigman

#32 Joe Curto

#34 Louis Chamberlain

#36 Rob DeVita (Co-Captain)

#40 Jacob Blittner-Cox

#55 Daniel Randell

#69 Daniel Greene

#99 Jake Tawil

BK Nationals Player-Coach

#31 Anthony Ruggiero

Staff

Perry Barber (Home Plate Umpire/Crew Chief)

Chris Moran (1st Base Umpire)

Mandi Blittner (Executive Director)

Ben Smith (Play-By-Play Broadcaster)

Will Jing (Color Analyst)

Stuart Honig (Statistician) 

Caitlyn Wlasiuk (Broadcast Technical Operator/Public Address Announcer)

Jack Spadaro (DJ)

Danielle Huebner (Photographer)

Honored Guests

2026 David Gross Advocacy Award Recipients: Julie Stewart-Binks and Jason Wedge 

Previous Award Winners

Morton Blittner Game MVP

2025 Shawn Kontorov (BK Nationals, No. 13)

2024 Brandon Dittmar (BK Americans, No. 44)

2023 Erik Wlasiuk (BK Americans, No. 22)

2022 Rob DeVita (BK Nationals, No. 36)

2021 Jordan Sternhell (BK Nationals, No. 21)

2020 Shawn Kontorov (BK Nationals, No. 13)

2019 Jake Tawil (BK Nationals, No. 99)

David Gross Advocacy Award

2025 Kim Battaglia (Former Wife of late NY Mets SS Buddy Harrelson, No. 3)

2024 Shannon Hogan (MSG Networks Islanders TV Host, No. 8)

2023 Mark Oster (Alzheimer’s Association NYC Chapter, No. 6)

2022 Jon Ledecky (Co-Owner NY Islanders, No. 1)

Zella Klein Defensive Player of The Game

2025 Kyle Zigman (BK Nationals, No. 27)

2024 Rob Del Muro (BK Americans, No. 76)

2023 Stefen Rosner (BK Americans, No. 11)

2022 Jake Tawil (BK Nationals, No. 99)

Captains who have lifted The Lenny DiCristino Memorial Cup

2025: Rob DeVita (BK Nationals, No. 36) and Seth Blittner (BK Nationals, No. 19)

2024: Russ Cohen (BK Americans, No. 41) and Michael Obernauer (BK Americans, No. 9)

2023: Russ Cohen (BK Americans, No. 41) and Michael Obernauer (BK Americans, No. 9)

2022: Rob DeVita (BK Nationals, No. 36)

2021: Rob DeVita (BK Nationals, No. 36)

2020: Doug Vitulli (BK Nationals, No. 27)

2019: Doug Vitulli (BK Nationals, No. 27)

Yearly Totals Raised

2025: $13,794.00

2024: $13,393.00

2023: $11,405.00

2022: $7,000.00

2021: $3,457.00

2020: $1,355.00

2019: $2,347.00

Lifetime Total Raised

$52,751.00

Yearly Scores

2025: BK Nationals 26, BK Americans 4

2024: BK Americans 14, BK Nationals 4

2023: BK Americans 12, BK Nationals 9

2022: BK Nationals 10, BK Americans 3

2021: BK Nationals 17, BK Americans 6

2020: BK Nationals 12, BK Americans 2

2019: BK Nationals 19, BK Americans 1

Game Social Media Pages

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BKMEMORIALCUP/

Twitter: @BKMemorialCup

Instagram: @BKMemorialCup