Crouching low over second base, 12-year-old Ashley Seagren’s bright blue eyes stay on the baseball waiting for her moment. The ball is hit and she takes off running, shadowed by her buddy, Maggie Fleming, 11.
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And for the 100th time, smiles and grins and cheers break out everywhere during this summer’s fourth annual “Rising Stars” Baseball Clinic, held by the Wheaton Junior Woman’s Club. The clinic is for 40 disabled children ages 5 to 14.
For the players, this is baseball. From the colorful team T-shirts and hats to hot dog concessions and warm-up catches and bats to the game.
And for parents, “Their child is allowed to do what every American child wants to do: play baseball,” said Marty Warrick, club member.
With help from the “buddy system” each child with challenging needs is paired with a non-disabled “buddy.” Buddies, ages 8-16, are children of club members, or like the coaches, friends and family members of players.
Matthew Hiltner, 9, waiting anxiously in his wheelchair with his Mutant Ninja Turtles mitt all ready, may need his buddy Grant Kleiber’s hands to sometimes grab a ground ball, but it’s Matthew’s hand that hurls it toward home plate.
And it’s Matthew’s enthusiasm that bounces toward the base as his chair is guided by the fast feet of 11-year-old Grant.
Camaraderie and gentle help can be seen in every duo with the gold-shirted buddies standing alongside their player. A hand gently raises another hand to help a throw or softly touches a shoulder to guide a player toward base or reaches high in the air to share a “high five.” And voices quietly coax those who are easily distracted.
“It’s fun,” said Katie Wynne, 14, with a shy grin as she stands in her favorite position, the outfield, practicing with her buddy, Amy Boeschen, also 14.
“Sometimes they’ll say little things like `Hey look what I did,” and it makes you feel good because they usually don’t get to do those things,” said Amy.
Matthew’s buddy, Grant, agreed. “I like to help people, and it’s fun because it makes you happy to know you’re helping someone,” he said.
“I think it is unique because it is done with such grace,” said Amy’s mother, Chris, clinic chairman.