It wasn’t the World Series. That will have to wait until November. But ask any of the 60-plus disabled children and young adults who played in it and they’ll tell you with their smiles. The first annual ‘Fall Classic’, hosted by Cypress PONY Baseball and its Champions Division, was a grand slam.
Parents, families, guardians and friends filled the stands with enthusiasm and support as four teams played a double-header at Oak Knoll Park last Saturday, October 19.
Two “All-Star” teams from the Cypress Champions program showed up along with a team from Walnut/Placentia and a fourth team, Kelsey’s Heroes, from Indio. The games were two-inning affairs, with coaches providing the pitching and direction. All players received complimentary hot dogs and soda between games and were awarded an All-Star medal and commemorative t-shirt for their participation.
“My son has been in organized sports for people with special needs for years,” said Kim Koerner of Cypress and skipper of the Cypress Boston Red Sox. “Leagues like Champions make such a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.”
Koerner’s squad was one of two teams from the Cypress PONY Champions program that fields players from Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, West Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach and Westminster.
“Some All-Stars players participate in other sports in the fall,” he added. “So, they haven’t played baseball since last spring. But they took right to it right away and it was great to see them having fun with new friends!”
“I just like playing,” said Crystal Leon of Cypress and member of the Red Sox. “I play shortstop and third. I like fielding ground balls and trying to throw the other team out at first!”
Other players were equally enthusiastic.
When her dad and co-coach Ben Singer of the Red Sox told his daughter Haley, a catcher from Rossmoor, that most pro players don’t catch two games in one day anymore, she quickly corrected him: “Well, I do! I’m an All-Star!”
Cypress PONY Champions Baseball will be entering it 20th season in Spring 2020. The League is free for children and young adults with special needs throughout the area. It is supported by local business and non-profit foundations. Those interested in finding out more about supporting or participating in the program as volunteers or players should contact Jon Peat at (714) 713-5153 and jonpeat@att.net or Sherman Havelaar at (714) 904-4742 and shehavelaar@yahoo.com