Sox' mound awaits serviceman's return

If it were up to his mother, Staff Sgt. Matthew Ritenour will be Mr. October for the White Sox.

Ritenour, 33, graduated from Hoffman Estates High School in 1993. Right now he's recovering from injuries suffered in September while in combat in Afghanistan.

Taliban gunfire had pierced Ritenour's helmet partially paralyzing him. Though dragged to safety after the head wound, he never lost consciousness. His orders helped save the lives of 40 U.S. troops as they fended off 180 insurgents for 45 minutes until air support arrived. Soon after he was airlifted, a neurosurgeon performed a lifesaving operation in Kandahar.

Months after rehab, the Army awarded him the Silver Star for valor at a May ceremony.

He's walking, but still has limited mobility on his right side. He's recovering with his wife and daughter while in Germany.

His parents, Kathleen and John, live in Hoffman Estates. I interviewed Sgt. Ritenour and his mother for a story that ran last week.

Kathleen Ritenour attended the July 4 game at Sox Park with her husband and daughter. That's where the hometown team wore special camouflage uniforms to honor troops like her son.

At the game, Sox PR official Lou Hernandez escorted the family down to the field. Kathleen, via e-mail, reports she stood next to White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen during "The Star-Spangled Banner." They also ended up taking photos with players.

Hernandez has also invited Sgt. Ritenour to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a future Sox game.

Ritenour is honored by the gesture, though a bit discouraged. His right shoulder hasn't healed, so he can't throw with his strong hand. His pride won't let him throw underhand in front of a 30,000 fans. His mom suggested to practice throwing with his left, because the Sox want him to come by next time he's back stateside.

"He can throw it however way he wants to," Hernandez said.

Kathleen Ritenour has grander aspirations for when her son could toss out the first pitch.

"Maybe the first game of the World Series?" a hopeful Kathleen Ritenour said via e-mail.

There's only one way to respond to that scenario, as the Sox approach the All Star Break in first place:

Don't stop believing.

Record-breaking 4th fest: Thanks to beautiful weather luring people outside and high-gas prices encouraging them to stay local, Hoffman Estates lured a record 60,000 people over the weekend at its annual Fourth of July Festival.

"It was just a sea of people. I've never seen so many people in my life," said Dan Callender, adding attendance this year topped any he's seen in 19 years as festival chairman.

Attendance reached its peak at the July 4 fireworks display, to which an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 people showed, Callender said.

"Everybody always loves the fireworks show," said Deputy Village Manager Dan O'Malley. "The grass was completely filled and every available place to stand was completely full."

Mayor William McLeod called it a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting, adding beer sold out on July 4. The Smithereens headlined Saturday and also contributed to the big crowds, O'Malley added.

With days sunny and nights cool, organizers couldn't have asked for better weather. Besides the temperatures, McLeod said the sluggish economy may have contributed to an increased attendance. He said more families preferred to stretch their dollars close to home and take advantage of nesting entertainment. And they finally found an advantage of the rising fuel costs, Callender added.

"High gas prices kept a lot of people at home instead of going away for a three or four-day weekend," he said.

Ashok Selvam covers Hoffman Estates. Contact him with your feedback and story ideas at aselvam@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4475. Daily Herald Staff Writer Lia Lehrer contributed to this column.