Baseball season in full swing

It's on every night now on ESPN and other sports channels. Baseball is America's pastime, and we are surrounded by it. When I think of baseball, images of diving catches, home-runs, and fastball pitchers come to my head.

But at Fairport Little League, different images abound, although the same game is being played. Here we see wheelchairs and walkers as children with disabilities play around the diamond. Yet, despite their condition, these children are having just as much fun!

That's because Fairport Challenger Baseball is in the middle of another successful season in 2010. Dozens of new players have joined the program this year, and many volunteers and coaches show up each week to play with the kids. As each player goes up to bat, the aura of excitement is undeniable.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers that make this program possible. With Coach Mark Muench, winner of the Christine Welch Inspiration Award, suffering from health problems, it has been of the utmost importance to have as many helpers as possible each week. In particular, three McQuaid students - Brandon Williams, Michael Coffey, and Steve Lodico - have participated in this program for their Capstone project along with me. It has been a wonderful experience so far!

Get Well Soon Coach Mark!

It's been 7 weeks since I heard Mr. Muench got sick. They removed a tumor in his brain and he's been going through chemo and radiation ever since. I follow his blog http://markmuench.blogspot.com/ and sometimes if he doesn't post, I try not to think the worst. He's battling a terrible disease and I can only pray that he makes it.

I have been working with Mr. Muench for the past 4 years coordinating all the volunteers for the Fairport Challenger Baseball Program. This program helps mentally and physically challenged kids play baseball. He is so great with all the kids...always full of energy and positive words of encouragement. Right now he's asking for prayers and that's what I'm doing every day.

Soon after Coach Mark had his surgery, the team got together. We did exactly what he wanted us to do; we had fun, made "get well" cards and prayed for his health. I even had the kids put together a string of prayer beads - Coach says he carries it in his pocket every day.

The kids are looking forward to our spring training, and I am too. I'm sure we'll have another great season. Of course, Coach Mark will be there, like he always has.

Mark Muench is a great man and a great role model for all of us. God Bless him! Here's the video we made for him:

Helping Haiti

In the aftermath of the massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti, the world has responded with aid. Genorosity has taken many forms. At my own high school, McQuaid Jesuit, we have emptied out our pockets for the suffering Haitians. We donated over $3,000, and an anonymous donor matched our donations. In the end, $6,100 have been donated to the Jesuit Refugee Service.

Let's hope that the Haitians can find some comfort in this dismal time. As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti was facing problems before the earthquake even struck. It is hard to believe that such a destitute nation can be enveloped by further chaos.

It's time to pray, time to reflect on our own "misfortunes," and time to be generous.

Amazing Haiti Fundraising Effort From McQuaid Students