Challenger Baseball Season Kicks off with the Mesa State Softball Team
Challenger Baseball Season Kicks off at with the Mesa State Softball Team
by
Josh Moser
Story Created:
Apr 21, 2011 at 12:17 AM MDT
Story Updated:
Apr 21, 2011 at 10:35 AM MDT
Wednesday at Bergman Field, there was no score to keep, no batting average to calculate, and no one to count balls and strikes.
“I love baseball,” said one Challenger Athlete.
It was a night of celebration on the softball diamond that turned into a field of dreams.
“This is Challenger Baseball,” said Beverly Dunham, Challenger Baseball Liaison. “It’s for children with disabilities between eight and twenty one and they just get to play and have fun like a normal child.”
One big hitter today, was eleven year old Mason. His play and bright smile lit up the night sky.
“I like playing baseball and I feel like I’m in a movie or something,” he said.
Others, like Cody, were playing for their heroes they look up to on the field.
“My teammates,” are his favorite players, he said, “because they are my friends.”
Wednesday night was all about making new friends, and creating a new place to call home.
“Having a child with a disability who is not physically able to do activities like this, this is just wonderful,” said Melissa Anderson, mother of Challenger Baseball player.
Another special part of the game was that the athletes were paired with their favorite Mesa State softball player. And as it turned out, they were the ones teaching the college students.
“You really take in the little things of the game, playing with these kids you realize how important it is, and how amazing it is to play," said Mesa State pitcher Ashley Pulido.
However the most important part of the night was a reminder that this is baseball in its truest form.
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