Problems, comments or questions about this site?   Please email us at  webmaster (at) coachjerry (dot) com

News

A Special Day, A Special Place For Special People
By Jerry Norton
Printed in the Ponte Vedra Recorder, March 24, 2000

The sights and sounds identify this place like a brilliant and beckoning neon sign, familiar to all, rich or poor, male or female, adult or child. Green and grassy outfield expanses creep close against a smoothed and vibrant clay infield quadrant. Precisely drawn chalk boundaries define the playing field. Bases set out like soft white pillows await the arrival of determined base runners and fielders. Metal risers strain under the weight of countless, encouraging parents. The long awaited cry of "Play Ball" punctuated by the distinctive "ping" as a metal bat meets a horsehide ball!! It is more than just another sun-drenched Saturday morning at Cornerstone Park... It's Opening Day of the 2,000 baseball season.

Opening day is always special for youngsters everywhere, but in Ponte Vedra opening day is extra special this year thanks to the Ponte Vedra Athletic Association's new Challenger League. Challenger Leagues, a spin-off of Little League baseball, provide young people, with varying exceptionalities, the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of baseball in a situation that is consistent with each player's capabilities.

Challenger players may be autistic or mildly mentally impaired. They may have cerebral palsy or Down's syndrome. Whatever their challenge, they can experience and enjoy the national pastime as participants in Ponte Vedra's Challenger League.

The league was formed through the combined efforts of Jan Carr, Special Education Teacher for Varying Exceptionalities at Ocean Palms School, PVAA President Mark Duffy, Challenger Managers Dr. David Fellin and Mark Jones, and PVAA baseball managers Dan Carr and Ted Brauch. Ms. Carr serves as the commissioner of the league and longtime youth coach and umpire Michael Linekin is the league's Chief Umpire.

The new, twenty player league is comprised of two teams that play a three inning game Saturday mornings on a ball field at Cornerstone Park using traditional baseball rules with some minor interpretation. For example, all players on the team, not just the first nine, bat and play in the field. Some players hit the ball off a batting T while others hit balls pitched by the coaches. Participation is the operative word in Challenger baseball.

Each Challenger Team has a companion or Buddy team to protect and assist the physically and/or cognitively challenged players at bat, in the field or on the bases. The extent of the assistance provided is based on individual player needs. Buddy teammates may help batters swing the bat, push wheelchair players or recover baseballs. The two Buddy teams, the Marlins, managed by Dan Carr, and the Devil Rays, under Ted Braugh, come from the PVAA's 11-12 year old Major League division.

Dr. Fellin, a cardiologist with St. Vincent's, is the skipper of the Challenger Marlins and Mark Jones manages the Challenger Devil Rays. Fellin's two 8-year old sons, Zachery and Justin are veteran players for the Devil Rays. Zach, the second basemen and brother Justin, the team's short stop, both played in a challenger league in Ormond Beach last year. According to their mom, Karen, the boys love the game and can't wait for Saturday mornings to play. "They eat and sleep baseball now" said Karen.

One of the Devil Rays pitchers is Wade Pritchett. "Wade is having the time of his life," says mom Kristi. "He is having so much fun! I think the program is just fantastic."

Mikel Herrick is another member of the Challenger Devil Rays. Mikel is 8 years old and playing baseball for the very first time.

Manager Jones's son Garrett, a 10 -year old with an engaging smile, is the power hitter for the Marlins and resembles a young Mark McGwire when he swings the bat. Although his dad, Mark is a Seminole graduate, Garrett is a true and loyal Gators fan.

One of Garrett's teammates on the Marlins is 13-year old Lauren Stowers, a rookie in Challenger League play. Lauren lists baseball as her favorite sport, and especially likes to practice.

Lefty Erik Igel is 11 and is, of course, the Marlins first baseman. Erik is quick on his feet and will certainly pick up more than a few infield hits during the coming season. Another 13-year old, Tyler Yelvington of the Marlins, is also a new comer to Ponte Vedra baseball. Tyler, like all of the players, is looking forward to the opening day game this Saturday.

For many of these children, playing baseball was something they might only dream about. Of course, they may still have those dreams, but on Saturday mornings, for the next three months, the thrill of playing baseball becomes a reality for twenty very special kids.

Challenger league players receive scholarships provided by corporate sponsors to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment and insurance. This year's Challenger League sponsors include Winn-Dixie, Prosperity Bank and Venus Swim Wear. An additional sponsor is needed. Interested companies or individuals should contact Mark Duffy at 285-8431.

According to Duffy, given the enormous response to the Challenger League, the PVAA is considering expanding the Challenger format to its other organized youth sports programs including soccer and flag football. Interested players and parents should contact Mark Duffy.
 

It's Official - PVAA's Challenger League A Huge Success
By Jerry Norton
Printed in the Ponte Vedra Recorder, March 31, 2000

Some observers, however, might not consider the event a baseball game. Why? There were just too many elements missing for it to be typical. Absent were insensitive or abusive fans jeering the opposition. There were no "Tomahawk Chops", no appeals to "strike the bum out" or "kill the umpire."

 Missing were arguments between players, managers and umpires over balls and strikes. Nor were there any disputes about whether a runner was safe or out and the outcome of the game could not be determined by the expressions on the players faces. At the end, neither team was crying! 

No one in attendance could tell you the final score of the game; but everyone who played or watched it, knew who the winners were. At a time when winning or losing has become so very important, this game was unique - there were no losers; there were only winners! You could see it in the expressions of joy and delight on the faces of the players and their buddy teammates. Happiness was evident in the eyes of delighted parents watching their children experience something both may only have dreamed about. 

Memories from this special opening day game abound and will endure for players and parents alike. Memories like Amber Strong of the Marlins pumping both fists in the air as she was wheeled to the plate for her first at bat. Moments later, her older sister, Courtney did the same. There was the Marlins exciting young player, Matt Callaway, circling the bases en route to his first ever inside-the-park homerun or Marlin Jeff Paumen getting out of his chair to hit the ball off the T for a base hit. 

There was little Tate Loftis, pitcher for the Devil Rays fielding a ground ball and making a magnificent whirling throw to first. There was Devil Ray shortstop Justin Soldt's valiant attempt to complete a run down play on a runner at second base. 

Memorable also was Wade Pritchett of the Devil Rays jumping for joy after scoring a run and the excitement of his teammate Zach Fellin, who made the announcement to "Play Ball", then started the game off with a base hit. Or Justin Fellin who followed his brother Zach to the plate and picked up a base hit and an RBI himself. Or little Mikel Herrick of the Devil Rays, who rapped a single, admired it for a moment, then raced safely to first. To make sure the game was played according to the rules, Challenger Umpire-in-Chief Mike Linekin was there, positioned perfectly, giving the unmistakable safe sign as Devil Rays' Alex McCallon beat out an infield single. Linekin then repeated the call when little six-year old Liam Scanlon followed with a hit of his own. 

Next there was the solid line drive hit by Marlins Garrett Jones that almost knocked the glove off the Devil Rays pitcher. Bennett Anderson sparked a rally for the M's by hustling down the line to beat out a grounder and Daniel Hopkins of the Marlins smacked another single to drive in a run. 

And finally there was courageous, young Daniel Nasca of the Marlins, rounding third base and struggling to score. Halfway home, Daniel stumbled and fell, but got back on his feet just in time to score the final run of the game for the M's. When the play was over, Daniel grinned, tipped his hat and waved, as if to say "Thanks. It's been great!" It was the sentiment shared by every player and every fan.