When they swing the bat, the ball streaks into the outfield. They hit singles and double, make outs in the field, cheer for their teammates and lament over losses.
Any handicap of the special-needs players on the Independence Township Parks and Recreation therapeutic softball team is left in the dugout when softball season begins.
‘The biggest thing for them is being part of a team and the camaraderie that comes with that,? said Douglas Fox, coach of the Blue Hawks, whose son, Ian, has played for the past four years. ‘Everyone is competitive and always gives 100 percent to their own individual level.?
The softball portion of Parks and Recreation therapeutic activities program begins in April with weekly practices. During the season, the team plays eight games against other teams from surrounding areas such as Lake Orion, Rochester, West Bloomfield, Waterford and Pontiac.
?(The players) definitely improve as the season goes on and we really have a lot of fun,? said Sheila Turk, who helps coordinate the therapeutic recreation softball team.
The benefits of the league extend past the players involved. The weekly games offer parents of special-needs children a chance to build their own sense of community.
‘This is the only league where (a player) can run to first and get a hug from the first baseman,? said Nancy Kwapisz, whose son Tony is a veteran on the Blue Hawks.
Many of the players have participated since the league began in 1993.
‘They excel in this. They are all disabled, when they excel in something it really makes them feel good,? said Valerie Laidler, whose son Ben is also a longtime member of the Blue Hawks.
The Blue Hawks last game of the year, played at their Sashabaw Plains home field on July 28, became an inter-squad affair after their opponents were forced to cancel. The 19 players on the Blue Hawks roster were split into two squads and parents were invited to don a glove and play alongside their children in the field.
According to Douglas, the scrimmage was a big hit with the players, as they enjoyed competing against their teammates.
Douglas is aided in his coaching duties by Jay Bleim, Tom Mitcham and Bill Mason.
‘The biggest part of the job is encouraging and praising them. Every little development is a good development,? said Douglas. ‘The guys and gals are great. This has been a real rewarding experience.?
For the past three years team sponsor Wheat’s Wear has supplied T-shirts with the Blue Hawks logo emblazoned across the front and the players? first name on the back. This year, Wheat’s Wear also embroidered the player’s hats with their names and the logo. U Call We Haul is another sponsor of the Blue Hawks.
The softball season officially draws to a close with the Blue Hawks? season-ending picnic on Aug. 5, but many players can not wait until next season begins.
‘They know next season they’re going to get right back together,? said Douglas
During the softball off-season, Independence Parks and Recreation therapeutic recreation offers monthly socials, basketball, hockey and other activities.
The members of the 2005 Blue Hawks are: Ben Laidler, Brandon Ralston, Louis Donagrandi, Danielle Donagrandi, Ian Fox, Andrew Harroun, Tony Kwapisz, Cody Passmore, Brad Mitcham, Steve Dougan, Neil Kortage, Steve Jacobs, Jackie Freeman, Brian Nancarrow, Debbie Kelley, Steve Lawson,Tony Keel, Tyler Riddle and Ross Brown.