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Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, MLB Hall of Famer and St. Luke’s Community Ambassador, Steve Carlton once again ran throwing and pitching clinics as part of the Justin Sheftel Memorial Fund Softball Tournament on June 17 at Cedar Creek Parkway West.

Among other things, St. Luke’s Sports Medicine, the presenting sponsor and a Sheftel partner, helps bring names like Carlton and Akers to the tournament every year. The big names help drive home an important message.

The tournament raises funds in memory of Linda and Elliot’s son Justin, a pedestrian who was struck and killed by a fellow teenager driving under the influence during the post-high school graduation ritual known as “Senior Week” in the resort town of Ocean City, Maryland on June 15, 2005.

Justin, just 18 at the time, lost his life that evening, but his family and the Lehigh Valley community have gained a powerful positive legacy through the tournament’s message. His family and friends have raised awareness of the dangers and impact that poor decisions such as drinking and driving can make in literally the blink of an eye.

In addition to the softball tournament, this year’s festivities included baseball clinics run by Carlton and featuring Blake Barthol, a Coastal Carolina Baseball Player and a Parkland graduate and a softball clinic featuring Devyn Demchak, a Northampton graduate and Drexel University softball player. Both Blake and Devyn are St. Luke’s Rising Stars (NIL student/athletes).