Morning News: Last night was the final baseball Little League Challenger game. It was so thrilling to watch the childrens progress and developed natural abilities after a season of training. I had a chance to ask Debbie Doherty about the how this division began and this is what she said. Baseball began 7 years ago as a few children coming out to learn skills taught by a few volunteers. We realised how much potential each child had, and how much they learned in one season. Five years ago Paul Doherty used his influence from years of being a coach and Convener with Oakville Little League and they then became involved providing t-shirts, caps, and ball diamonds and even snacks for us. This would not only mean opportunity, but also that the whole program would be free for the community. Now our Challenger division has over 80 children registered, with a core group of dedicated volunteers who give endlessly of their time teaching baseball skills almost every weekend from May to August. We are now also affiliated with Challenger Baseball Canada. They help us take a hundred people to the Blue Jays game for a spectacular event where the children and their families play on the field, meet some “Blue Jays” players and receive t-shirts and caps. Our finale each year is the Championship Game which highlights all the skills learned by the children over the season. They will play under the lights, have their names announced, music will be playing, real umpires will be there as well as one of our own players umpiring, and trophies will be handed out. It is always amazing to see children and youth who are afraid of the ball, don’t want to hit it with the bat, not knowing where to run to the bases, but who by the end of the season hit the ball off the T or ones that are pitched to them, running to the right bases, throwing with a great arm, making the correct plays, and catching the ball with their glove. Most of all it is the happy faces that tell it all and how successful they feel, as well as the parents who are enjoying seeing the skills emerge in their child when they never thought it was possible. Thank you Aline, Debbie and Paul Doherty for your years of dedication to our amazing community. On Saturday September 30th. Project autism would like to present this wonderful family with a community bench - A special thank you for all the dedication that they do for our community.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:19:59 +0000
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