Dreams Come True for Home Run Heroes

Its a kids game and as such, all kids should get to play baseball....and the University of Mary i...  More »

Its a kids game and as such, all kids should get to play baseball....and the University of Mary is making that possible. There's little league's everywhere that bring together children of all abilities and now, there's one that brings together children with disabilities. With bases and bats as well as big crowds - the 'Home Run Heroes' have it all. For three years and counting, they've matched-up at Mary, and countless dreams have come true with every swing. The athletes are of different ages with different disabilities, but they have a common love?and that's baseball. In these games? Everybody plays, Everybody bats, Everybody wins. (Jenny Rambur:)We kind of stemmed it off of the 'Dreamcatchers' in Minot and we just wanted to get something started as a continuing 'year-after-year' program for the PT program out here, so we started 'Home Run Heroes' and we usually do a three-or-four game league every year and it is so much fun to see the looks on their faces when they are hitting or catching a ball - they get so excited and it is very rewarding. (Karessa Korneck:) We hear stories about kids that leave here that tell every single person that they meet about how much fun that they had at 'Home Run Heroes' and that alone is just enough for us to do it one time. The infield is made of concrete and so is the outfield, But the surface of the Leach Field House is their 'Field of Dreams.' (Movie Clip: 'If you build it, he will come!') And like the movie 'Field of Dreams' famously suggests? U-Mary's Physical Therapy Department has built it and the kids have come. 10-Year Old Collin Wetstone and his family come up from Hazelton? which is almost one hour away. (Colin Wetzsteon:) I just like it! (Renee Wetzsteon:) Anytime that there is some kind of sports that he can do, he has gotta be there because that is all he lives for - to coach or play or somehow be involved - that is all he watches on TV and that's his life. There are no boundries on this diamond?and sometimes, even the baselines aren't recognized. Yet the 'blue print' of baseball has never been easier to understand. Whether they wheel around the bases on their own, or with some help?they're all headed the same way. Baseball is 'America's Past Time' and its because everyone can be a 'Home Run Hero.' The season finale for the 'Home Run Heroes' is on Monday. The program does accept donations and if you're interested in contributing, you can call 355-8045 for more details.  « Less