SPORTS
WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 ■ PAGE A5
SEALY NEWS
Area league hosts Miracle of an opener for disabled youth By MINDY BLANKEMEYER mnblankemeyer@aol.com
A strong desire to keep things the same has seemingly made a large difference in many lives. Shane and Jessica Gordon moved to Austin County a few years ago with a son who has a Chiari malformation – wherein a misshapen skull can affect the brain – and had to search hard to find the recreational activity he had enjoyed in their small Ohio town. “We started looking around for a Miracle League,’ Jessica Gordon said Monday. “We wanted as much the sameness as possible.” Miracle League is a baseball program that serves special-needs and disabled people who want to play baseball but don’t really fit within the alreadyestablished leagues. Players are assigned a “buddy” to help them with fielding and batting throughout the two-inning games, in which every player is allowed the chance to bat and score a run. The closest option for the Gordons turned out to be Cypress Spring on the north side of Houston, leading to long car trips in the spring of 2014 so they could give their son Brandon the baseball experience he relished. “We did that every weekend,” Jessica said. A run-in with a grandmother closer to home made her realize that she wasn’t the only one who needed a change in geography. “She saw our son in his uniform and we told her about Miracle League,” Gordon said. “She was excited, but when she found out how far it was, her face just fell.” So Jessica and Shane set out to see what it would take to bring the league to Austin County. First speed bump, though, was a $500 annual commitment. “It’s not a million dollars, but still,” she said. “We paused again, but the idea kept nagging.” The family decided to go ahead and plunk down the money, though it
still took a little more encouragement to get the ball rolling. The idea kept space in her head until she made chance contact with another Austin County mother: Nicole Schaper of Bellville, whose son Hudson has mitochondrial disease, a cellular mutation that can prohibit development. “[Nicole] said that she had also been playing around with the idea of starting a Miracle League here,” Gordon said. The Gordons teamed with Nicole and husband Jake Schaper to establish the area league later in 2014. The league kicked off its first season with 10 players from the general population, aside another 10 from a state school. This year, the league will field 22 players, all from the general Austin County population. The 2016 season kicked off April 2 at Clark Park in Bellville. Gordon, now the league’s director and secretary, said players now come in from as far as Katy, Chappell Hill, and Brenham. Meanwhile, the league’s management structure has stayed close to home: Shane Gordon is now the president of the league, Nicole Schaper is vice president and treasurer. The daunting task of creating regional awareness of the league continues, though much eased from early efforts. “Sometimes it felt like I had a third head when I was present the concept,” Jessica Gordon said. Now, she said, the league is looking toward growth, including an expansion of playing facilities. “When you get a Miracle League, they encourage you to build a handicapped-accessible field,” she said. The resulting complex would include a custom designed field that is completely flat with a rubberized surface and wheel chair accessible dugouts according to the league website. But that’s still a ways into the future. “That’s roughly a million-dollar project,” said Gordon, undoubtedly remembering how formidable the initial $500
John-John points to the fence as he steps up for his first at bat Ava runs the bases with the help of her buddy on Sunday afterSunday at Clark Park in Bellville where the Miracle League of noon at Clark Park. Austin County plays each Sunday at 3 pm. any issues that could arise said under sunny skies at annual investment once a player who is not able with an adult player and a the season opener. seemed. “Until we build to afford their uniform, teenage volunteer. On April 2, players and awareness, we’re not although donations of any “We are open to an their buddies took the field kind are always welcome. adult league in the future,” going to take that on. with exuberance. The bud“We don’t want to grow Registration is always she said. “We just growing dies – mostly area teenagers too fast. We’re happy ongoing and no child will as the needs and desires – assisted their juniors with be turned away if they drive us.” where we’re at.” batting, fielding and running Although the league have a desire to play the The league currently the bases. prefers to have older game. offers two baseball seaAnd of course, Brandon There are no age sons for participants, playyouth, they welcome all Gordon was part of the either. ing six to eight games in volunteers at least 9 years requirements festivities, a return on the old to buddy with a play- According to website, spring and again in the fall. emotional and financial er. Buddies over 18 years “We have taken children The schedule is set, but investment his parents of age do have to submit as young as two years old flexible. made in creating the as well as older players to a background check. “We always take Easter league. The Miracle League has who are considered and Mother’s Day off in the “We’ve definitely gotten a variety of options to adults”. Gordon said they spring season, and of our 500 bucks worth, I can support players, begin- serve players up to 22 course there are always tell you that,” Jessica ning with sponsorship of years old, sidestepping some rainouts,” Gordon Gordon said.
Selman Lunch Menu BREAKFAST:
Photos by Mindy Blankemeyer
Briley, left, awaits her turn at bat in the dugout, keeping buddy Brittney Byrd entertained.
Brazos Lunch Menu
APRIL 18 - APRIL 22, 2016
MONDAY:Pancake on a stick TUESDAY: Mini Pancakes WEDNESDAY: Morning Sausage Roll THURSDAY: Breakfast Burrito FRIDAY: NO SCHOOL!
LUNCH:
MONDAY: Pepperoi Pizza Salad w/Roll, Turkey Bacon Club Wrap, Bean & Cheese Burrito, Thai Chicken Rice Bowl, Chicken Nuggets w/ Breadstick, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans & Mixed Fruit TUESDAY: Spinach & Pear Salad w/Roll, Craisin Chicken Wrap, Breadstick w/Marinara Sauce, Turkey BBQ on Bun, Chicken & Black Bean Chili, Steamed Corn, Pineapples WEDNESDAY: Fruit, Cheese, & Yogurt, Ham & Cheese Pita, Hamburgers on WW Bun, Baked Pasta Alfredo w/Breadstick, Orange Chicken, Lo Mein Vegetables, Steamed Broccoli, Applesauce THURSDAY: Popcorn Chicken Salad w/Breadstick, Italian Sub, Taco Loco, Chicken Corn Dog, Potato w/Broccoli & Cheese w/ Roll, Mexican Black Beans, Chilled Pears FRIDAY: NO SCHOOL!!
BREAKFAST:
MONDAY: Pancake on Stick or Cereal w/Wheat Toast, Juice, Fruit, Syrup, Jelly TUESDAY: Muffin w/Wheat Toast or Cereal w/Wheat Toast, Juice, Fruit, Jelly WEDNESDAY: Breakfast Taco or Cereal w/Wheat Toast, Juice, Fruit, Jelly, Salsa THURSDAY: French Toast or Cereal w/Wheat Toast, Juice, Fruit, Jelly, Syrup FRIDAY: Breakfast Pizza or Cereal w/Wheat Toast, Juice, Fruit, Jelly.
MILK AND FRUIT ARE OFFERED AT EVERY MEAL
LUNCH:
MONDAY: Hamburger, Lettuce/Tomato, Potato Smiles, Mandarin Oranges, Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup TUESDAY: Chicken Parmesan w/Pasta, Green Beans, Carrot Sticks, Diced Pears, Ranch WEDNESDAY: Beef Taco Lettuce/Tomato, Refried Beans, Cheese Cup, Chilled Peaches, Salsa THURSDAY: Chicken Smackers, Broccoli/ Cheese Sauce, Black-eye Peas, Orange Smiles, Ketchup FRIDAY: Grilled Cheese, Sweet Potato Fries, Celery Sticks, Fresh Apple, Ketchup