TORONTO- They traveled from Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Mississauga and even Vancouver wearing their baseball uniforms and carrying their baseball gloves.
First, they sat through the longest Major League Baseball game in Rogers Centre history, but when all was said and done, 26 ballplayers along with their ‘buddies’ took part in the first ever Challenger Baseball Jamboree.
“We’re finally on-the-field,” exclaimed National Challenger Baseball Coordinator, Ian McLean with a huge smile on his face after the Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers in an 18 inning marathon.
The outfield at Rogers Centre was transformed into two baseball fields where teams were divided up, bats, balls and gloves were spread around and nothing but laughter and cheering, and pure enjoyment for the game of baseball could be seen and heard from everyone involved.
In June 2012, Baseball Canada adopted Challenger Baseball, a program that provides an opportunity for children with cognitive or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participation in baseball at a level structured to their abilities.
"It was worth every bit to see smiles on everyone’s face,” said Baseball Canada President Ray Carter. “Everyone had a great time.”
Parents Dagoberto and Claudia Lopez were on hand to watch their sons Dagoberto Jr. and Juan Pablo play baseball on the same field that their big-league heroes play on.
With the Blue Jays game approaching six hours in length, Dagoberto and Claudia were thinking about heading back home.
“The kids didn’t want to leave, no way,” said Dagoberto. “They were really excited about stepping onto the field here, the same field as the Blue Jays.”
The Lopez family came to Canada from Mexico two years ago and settled into Mississauga where lifetime fan Dagoberto has been able to share his love for the Blue Jays with both of his sons.
“I have been a Blue Jays fan for 20 years,” explained Dagobgerto who idolized Robert Alomar when the Jays were winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. “Being on this field with my family is a very special moment for me as well.”
With proud parents looking on, Dagoberto Jr. and Juan Pablo played in the field and took turns at the plate where two-time World Series champion and former Blue Jays closer Duane Ward threw to each batter.
"To be a part of this … this is what baseball is all about," said Ward in an interview with MLB.com. "Not just the ones that can play it the way that you see on TV, but everybody that's able to pick up a bat, pick up a glove, pick up a ball, we want to be a part of it. That's the Blue Jay organization, plain and simple."
To find out more about Challenger Baseball and how you can get involved with this tremendous program, please visit baseball.ca/challenger
