Man Who Started 'Ice Bucket Challenge' Gets Doused in Fenway Outfield

The Beverly native fighting ALS - who started the “Ice Bucket Challenge” earlier this summer - undertook the challenge himself on Thursday with the Red Sox.

Pete Frates was joined by his family and Red Sox players in the outfield at Fenway Park - a park where he played as a baseball star at Boston College, even hitting a homerun in the park once dubbed a “lyric little bandbox” by Pulitzer Prize-winning former Beverly resident John Updike.

A Vine video posted online shows Frates sitting on the outfield grass with his wife, Julie Frates, dumping ice water on his head. They were joined by manager John Farrell, second baseman Dustin Pedroia, catcher David Ross and third baseman Will Middlebrooks, according to an account by MLB.com writer Ian Browne. His parents and some friends were also there.

The challenge, which has become a viral sensation on social media this summer, is designed to raise money and awareness of ALS - already bring in millions for the ALS Association.

Until Wednesday, Frates had decided not to take part in the challenge. Thousands of people had undertaken it and then posted videos online before challenging others to do it. On Thursday, Farrell challenged Indians manager (and former Red Sox manager) Terry Francona and Yankees manager Joe Giarardi.