Baseball Continues Work in the Community
9/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sept. 20, 2010
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - On Saturday, September 18 the University of Alabama baseball team traveled to Oliver Park in Calera, Ala., to volunteer as part of the season-ending ceremonies for the Field of Angels Special Needs Baseball League.
As part of the festivities, junior outfielder Taylor Dugas threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the game. Before and after the game the Crimson Tide players graciously signed autographs, met with the league's players and took pictures with the children and their families.
"It was a great opportunity for the whole team to go out there," junior left-handed pitcher Adam Morgan said following the day's activities. "It was very rewarding. The kids were having such a good time no matter what they were doing. (Those involved with the program) are some of the nicest people I've ever met."
The Field of Angels League was created by Chris Bunn and other community volunteers who saw the need for a baseball league for children with special needs. The league is made up of four teams - Red, Orange, Blue, Green - that are made up of children from Calera and the surrounding communities.
"You realize how fortunate you are and I think our players feel the same way," head coach Mitch Gaspard said. "But you also realize that those kids play with the same passion and enjoy the game just like we do. We're just happy we were able to be a small part of it all."
The baseball team has placed a great focus on community service activity and this is one of the many volunteer activities that the team has participated in this year. The team has amassed 148 total hours of volunteer service so far this year.
"I think this was just another opportunity to show what type of players we have in our program and the character of our guys," Gaspard added. "All the guys have really stepped up and I think it gives the community and the folks out there a personal experience with our student-athletes."
