Junior pitcher Cal Laird has shined both on and off the field for Emerson’s baseball team, as his contributions to the community have brought his teammates together.

Laird, a visual and media arts major, put together a public service announcement for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, an organization that works toward breast cancer prevention.

Senior captain and pitcher Jack Capotorto said that Laird has been big in putting together extracurricular events this year.

“He was there the entire day setting up and editing the PSA,” Capotorto, a visual and media arts major, said. “Cal actually gave every single one of our teammates a line to say in order to get everyone involved.”

Laird’s editing skills and hard work were essential, according to head coach Nick Vennochi.

“Cal’s been huge,” Vennochi said. “He spent countless hours putting together the PSA for us.”

In addition to creating the PSA, Laird said he and some of his teammates who will be in Boston this summer are planning to run the “Against the Tide” 5K on June 18 in nearby Hopkinton, Massachusetts. 

Laird said that he views service as a necessity for a ballclub that wishes to give back to the community.

“We do a lot of volunteering in general,” Laird said. “Every team is supposed to do at least one community service event this year, but we’re trying to go above and beyond.”

Laird helped put together another event where the squad sorted clothing for the charity Cradles to Crayons. He also created and edited a video for this.

Vennochi had good things to say about how Laird has helped the team develop a presence on social media.

“Cal does most of our social media stuff,” Vennochi said. “Everything that you see on our Facebook page is from Cal. He’s been integral in everything we’ve done this year.”

Laird said he, Capotorto, and the rest of the team have benefited from doing small community service events. 

“Everyone stays together and I think these events have helped us bond,” Laird said. “If you don’t have the team, what do you have?”

Laird said that Capotorto has demonstrated his leadership as a captain by organizing these events from the start. 

“A big part of being a captain is volunteering,” Laird said. “I look forward to doing more of these events next year even after Jack graduates.”

Laird, who said it is important for the Lions to keep improving on the field, said he also believes that continuing to give back to their surrounding community is a large part of what makes them so close as a team. 

“Even though I’m going off to Los Angeles next semester, I hope to do more of these sorts of events as a senior,” Laird said.