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!
