Kimberly, WI

 

The 1st Special Olympics/ISC exhibition game was played last week in Kimberly during the World Tournament, and was a great success.  The original plan was to play the game on the main diamond on Thursday night, but the weather had a bit of a different plan for that.

 

The only rain that came during the week was Thursday morning and that backed games up on both fields during the day.  Tournament Director Al Schaefer suggested that we use the 2nd field at the Upper part of the park for the game to keep the game on schedule for the Special Olympics team that was coming in, but not before he brought that team out onto the field on the main diamond to be introduced to the crowd and getting a nice round of applause from the fans. 

 

From there, the ISC Players and The Blazing Stars made the trek up the hill to get the game underway.  World Tournament umpires met with the coaches from both sides, made sure the teams were split up evenly between the two groups, and the game got started a little before 7:00.

 

Four innings of softball were played before the sun started to set, and the game featured offense, defense and enjoyment by both sides - the ISC players were getting assists from the Special Olympics team, some baserunning hints were passed along, a few batting tips shared (in both directions - this wasn't the Blazing Stars first time at the ballpark - they weren't shy in letting us know that we could be doing better), and everyone involved had smiles on their faces the whole time.

 

At the end of the game the ISC Players presented each of the Special Olympics team a couple of hats and t-shirts/jerseys from various teams from throughout the ISC Community.  The World Tournament umpires donated a commemorative coin for each player, and umpire Dave Selden gave one of the players his Clicker as a gift.

 

Many of the fans and family members came out on the field for a group photo, and the Blazing Stars headed to the concession stand for a hot dog and a pop to cap off their night (courtesy of the KRA and the ISC Wives).

 

I'm grateful to Special Olympics organizer and coach Pauline Ho for bringing her team out to the park that night.  She spent countless hours selling raffle tickets for the quilt that was raffled off on championship Saturday.  She is one of the heroes of that team who gives her time and efforts to ensure a group of athletes gets opportunities to show what they can do on a ballfield - and all of them were successful.

 

The players from the Blazing Stars were exemplary opponents, teammates and fans before, during and after the game.  They were asking questions to the ISC players, getting pictures taken, helping out with batting stances and defensive positioning.  We might have different opportunities with our seasons, but there isn't as much difference between the two groups as one might think.

 

There were talks and comments about making this part of the World Tournament in years to come, and I have a very strong feeling that 2008 was the first of many games like this one.

 

I'd like to thank the following people who came out and played/participated in the game:

 

Socal Bombers -  Dave Kimura, Darren Box, Chad Boom, Steve Pinocchio, Mike Butler, Tony Peeples, Bob Piddock, Adam LaLonde

Niagara Snappers - Scott Young, Jason Paylove, Perry Bartley

Thomson Merchants - Bruce Bielema

Pueblo Bandits - Jason Shea

Bar of Green Bay - Ric Thompson

Midland Explorers - Clint Beane, Craig Crawford

Midwest Stampede - Chris Bohlman

St. Thomas - Chris Payne, Tom Edit, Drew Groombridge

Team Rainey - Kris Walushka, Jason Porto

ISC Umpires - Dave Selden, Rick Havercroft, Peter Kluszczynski

ISC Personnel - Blair Setford, Tom Stasik, Dick Mason, Bruce Bierman

 

 

Special Thanks to the NY Knights coach Gregg Leather who donated 25 'Property of the NY Knights/Autism Awareness' shirts for the event.

 

(My apologies if I missed any players/teams who participated or donated - please email me if I missed a name.)

 

Finally, Al Schaefer (KRA), Ken Hackmeister (ISC) and Larry Fisher (ISC) all worked with me to make this happen.  From the beginning, they were supportive of the idea, re-worked the World Tournament schedule to find a time slot, and were open to all the things I threw at the to make this a great night for everyone involved - Thanks Guys, your efforts are much appreciated.

 

 

Kyle Beane

ISC Player Rep

Midland Explorers