NWSRA/American Legion Post 525 Summer Classic
On Friday, July 20, approximately 25 athletes with disabilities will be paired up with high school players from the American Legion Mt. Prospect Post 525 Bulldogs baseball team to compete in softball at Friendship Park in Des Plaines. This will be the fourth year of partnership between Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) and the American Legion. The Summer Classic was originally conceived by American Legion Commander Bill Starr, Head Coach Jeff Daniels, and past NWSRA Superintendent of Recreation Jayne Finger.
The game provides an opportunity for athletes with disabilities to compete alongside their non-disabled peers, providing valuable opportunities for awareness, empathy and fun competition. American Legion Commander Starr stated "The American Legion ball players realize that they have been gifted with exceptional skills in the game of baseball and that there are individuals who have physical or mental disabilities who could benefit from a "buddy" relationship in a game situation. Everyone wins and the hot dogs are free. They look forward to meeting, buddying up and sharing their baseball skills and knowledge with the players from the NWSRA teams. To me, this is a perfect scenario for American Legion ball players to give back."
After the game, all of the athletes will be treated to an awards ceremony and refreshments with their fellow players. NWSRA Superintendent Rachel Hubsch stated "The collaboration with the American Legion Post 525 represents an outstanding opportunity for the NWSRA Lightning Co-Rec Softball team to receive playing tips from the Mt. Prospect Bulldogs. It is a really exciting event for all the athletes and spectators!"
About American Legion Baseball- Mt. Prospect Bulldogs Post 525
For nearly 90 years, American Legion Baseball has been a key part of the journey to adulthood for millions of young men. American Legion Baseball has been turning out college and Major League Baseball (MLB) players for decades. Nearly 75% of Legion Baseball graduates continue playing baseball in college and about 50% of all current MLB players played Legion Baseball. Sixty-three Legion Baseball graduates have been inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. American Legion Commander Bill Starr stated "In the preamble to the American Legion Constitution it states, "....To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation:...". It is therefore important for American Legion Post 525 and its members to provide an example and foster an environment representative of the Americanism that our veterans have fought and died for. The Legion has sponsored high level baseball competition for over 90 years. Giving the players an opportunity to give back is Americanism at its best."
For more information, please contact Jim Haffey at 847-489-8777.
About NWSRA
Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) provides outstanding opportunities through recreation for children and adults with disabilities. NWSRA has grown tremendously over its 44 year history. NWSRA provides over 2,000 recreational programs and receives more than 14,000 registrations annually. Athletics are very popular at NWSRA, with over 600 athletes competing in 16 sports. NWSRA has received the National Recreation and Park Association Excellence in Inclusion Award, given to one organization throughout the nation that has proven its leadership in the promotion of inclusion and diversity initiatives. NWSRA serves 17 northwest suburban communities in partnership with member Park Districts, providing day camps, weekly programs, trips, special events, cultural arts and more. For more information on NWSRA, visit www.nwsra.org, contact Brian Selders at 847-392-2848 or e-mail bselders@nwsra.org.