Before stepping in the next time up, the fun-loving teenager began rhythmically clapping his hands, and soon 35 others were following his lead. The big blasts of the day came off the foot of Northside Learning Center's Andrew who cleared the center-field fence in his first plate appearance. He knocked an infield single and proceeded with the innate joy of a Javier Baez or Tim Anderson to bear-crawl his way to first base-grinning from ear to ear as he made a bat toss seem blasé. The pure joy of being outside on a sunny, gorgeous 72-degree spring day and playing kickball on Wish Field was seemingly bursting out from Sullivan's Fernando as he lined up to face Gage. It gives you a good feeling being around them." Knowing you can make someone else laugh is a good feeling. "I did this last year as well, taking time to help other people. "We wanted to make sure the Special Olympics kids were having fun, too. "It was really fun for all of us," said Reed, who relished the one-on-one matchup against Gage. The soft-spoken sophomore who was having all kinds of fun fooled the defense with a bunt, advanced to second and scored on Sullivan student Alex's infield hit. Gage's teammate Paul Reed walked to the plate with his 6-foot, 9-inch stature and the outfielders moved way back. The Sullivan students walked excitedly to the Blue Demon softball diamond where they would be tested by the imposing battery of point guard Devin Gage in the pitcher's circle and the ebullient Marty Murphy behind the plate. This second annual All-Sports Day celebration organized by Compliance assistant director Maggie Strus featured four sports venues: kickball, soccer, relay races and the bean-bag shot put throw. Some, you might say, were having the time of their lives. This was the day 120 high school Special Olympians from Sullivan, Al Raby and Northside Learning Center had circled on their calendars-a rare opportunity to get outside and play the games they love with Division I student-athletes.Įveryone dove right in and immersed themselves in a wholly rewarding experience. "All the kids were so exciting to see the Blue Demons. "As they walked into Cacciatore Stadium, they first spotted the tall men's basketball players and the men's soccer players waiting for them inside along with student-athletes from women's basketball, women's soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf and track and field," said Mallory Gizowski of Sports Medicine. CHICAGO - There was an air of apprehension along with a hint of disappointment as the Special Olympians got off the bus Thursday morning.
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