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NWSRA and American Legion Mount Prospect Post 525 host Summer Classic

On Tuesday, June 14, approximately 25 athletes with disabilities will be paired up with high school players from the American Legion Mount Prospect Post 525 Bulldogs baseball team to compete in softball at Friendship Park, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. This is the second year of partnership between Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) and the American Legion.

The Summer 2016 Classic was conceived by American Legion Commander Bill Starr, Head Coach Jeff Daniels and NWSRA Superintendent of Recreation Jayne Finger. The game will provide 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 ballplayers realize that they have been gifted with exceptional skills in the game of baseball and that there are individuals that are physically and mentally challenged who could benefit from a 'buddy' relationship in a game situation. Everyone wins and the hot dogs are free. They are looking forward to meeting, buddying up and sharing their baseball skills and knowledge with the players from the NWSRA teams. To me this was a perfect scenario for American Legion ballplayers to give back."

The players will break into teams and the American Legion players will lead a pregame warm up at approximately 5 p.m.; with game time set to start at 5:30 p.m. After the game, all of the athletes will be treated to an awards ceremony and refreshments with their fellow players.

NWSRA Superintendent Finger stated "I'm looking forward to collaborating with the American Legion Post 525 and providing an opportunity for the NWSRA Lightning Co-Rec Softball team to receive playing tips from the Mount Prospect Bulldogs. It should be an exciting event for all the athletes and spectators!"

Fans are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes.

For more information, contact Jayne Finger at (847) 392-2848, ext. 229 or email jfinger@nwsra.org.

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."

2016 Team Tryouts begin June 1-3 and the season runs from early June through July, playing other Cook County League teams. For more information, please contact Jeff Daniels at (847) 420-9414.

Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) provides outstanding opportunities through recreation for children and adults with disabilities. NWSRA has grown tremendously over its 42 year history. NWSRA provides over 2,000 recreational programs and received more than 15,000 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 proved its leadership in the promotion of inclusion and diversity initiatives. NWSRA serves 17 Northwest suburban communities, providing day camps, weekly programs, trips, special events, cultural arts and more. For information on NWSRA, visit www.nwsra.org or contact Brian Selders at (847) 392-2848 or email bselders@nwsra.org.

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