Westside Challenger Baseball Sluggers show off their Championship Trophies at the awards ceremony held July 13.With smiles on the faces of the Challenger Baseball players, parents, families and friends, the third season of the Westside Challenger Baseball season ended in grand style on July 13 with the season’s last game, awards ceremony and picnic. A record 42 players participated this season at Nietopski Field at the Town of Sweden Park. Children with disabilities, ages 5 to 18, met Saturday mornings during June and July for a game of baseball, fun and camaraderie. The June 15th game, named the Challenger World Series, was played at Frontier Field. After each game, all players are treated to snacks with their assisting “buddies,” family and friends. After the final game, each Westside Challenger Baseball player was recognized and presented a Champions Trophy at the Awards Ceremony and the annual picnic for each player and their family followed.
Coach Darren Zyra presents trophy to Quinton Streeter.
Tucker Hauser heads to score a run with Brockport Bison “Buddy”. There is no charge for any family to have their child play Westside Challenger Baseball thanks to the donations by Reliant Community Credit Union, Rochester Press-Radio Club, Brockport Wal-Mart, Brockport Lions Club, Brockport Rotary Club, Brockport Kiwanis Club, Kendall Lions Club, Reidman Foundation, USA Ultimate Sports and Apparel, Sweden Community Foundation, Stetson Club of the Brockport Police Department, Mark Gaisser and Domino’s Pizza, and many, many individual donors. These sponsors cover all costs including uniforms, equipment, field rental, insurance, food and trophies. Westside Challenger Baseball would not exist without the overwhelming commitment of the sponsors.
Kaelynn Wood gets batting advise from her Dad.Many helped make the season successful – players and coaches of the Brockport Bisons Baseball, Hamlin Wildcats Baseball, Joe and Jill Setak, Charlie Hage, Westside News Inc., Todd Dobson, Roger Evans and Photos by Bruce – to mention a few. Game announcers Kerri Noyes and Karen Zyra along with coaches Steve Noyes, Kate Jacobs, Mike Myers and Darren Zyra kept things moving as the players batted and played in the field. Founding organizers, Jack and Bev Milner, Mike and Susan Myers and Wayne and Marge Zyra are already working on plans for next season so that all area children with disabilities have an opportunity to enjoy the game of baseball.
