WARNER ROBINS -- These players have waited weeks for this game. They aren’t out here to win a trophy or a trip to the World Series. For them, it’s all about the love of the game.
“This is baseball in its purest form,” said Larry Snellgrove.
The 20 players from the Blue and Red All Star Challenger teams from the Warner Robins American Little League spent a hot, sunny Sunday afternoon in front of an energized crowd at the Little League Southeast Park in Warner Robins.
Even Southeastern Regional Tournament Assistant Director Peter Frikker got in on the action, doing the chicken dance in the outfield with the eight umpires.
Not unlike their peers who are vying for a spot in the Little League World Series, each player was announced over the public address system.
Instead of talking about their RBIs or lineup position, it was their pets, favorite foods and favorite sports that were broadcast.
Players came out of their dugouts running when their names were called. Some lifted their arms in excitement, getting a huge response from the crowd.
“This is absolutely wonderful,” said Todd Shook, a chaperone for the Irmo, S.C., team.
Disabled or not, Shook was impressed with some of the players’ abilities.
Many of the children hit the ball into the outfield in the coach-pitched game. Some of them needed a tee to hit it, but all players had a chance to bat in the two-inning game.
Taking the field as buddies to the Challenger League players were representatives from each of the eight teams in the Little League Baseball Southeastern Region Tournament.
Normally fierce rivals while playing the game, this day, it was all about allowing other children the opportunity to play.
One of the buddies who helped during the game, Keaton Allison of the Tennessee team, said he learned something.
“Even if people are disabled, they are just like us,” he said.
Tennessee coach Tommy Biggerstaff had hoped his players would learn that lesson.
The tournament volunteers asked for three players from each team. He said he had at least five who raised their hands wanting to help.
“It makes us appreciate what we have a bit more,” he said.
Players from North Carolina got the wave going in the stands. Teammates from West Virginia did the hokey pokey.
“This is one of the greatest experiences I’ve had,” said Devin Shull of the South Carolina squad.
From the parents of the Challenger League All-Stars’ perspective, Shull couldn’t have been more right.
“He’s had that uniform out for a week,” said Lisa Hall, whose son Jacob Hall played for the Blue team.
Since the parents were informed of playing at the complex, the hardest part was trying to keep their sons and daughters patient enough to wait for game day.
Carmen Hamman said her son Tyler Hamman was very excited about playing.
For a few weeks, “he’s been looking forward to it,” she said.
Annabelle Whitaker has been asking since she received her jersey whether it was time to play.
“Is it ball play day?” she would ask her mother, Heather Whitaker.
Annabelle has watched her sister play ball out at the Warner Robins American Little League fields.
“Now it’s her time to shine,” said Heather Whitaker.
The smiles on the players’ faces and those who were watching the game seemed to mirror the glow.
“Basically this is what baseball should be about,” Biggerstaff said.
At the end of the game, as the teams filed out of the stadium, their chests seemed to swell with pride as they were high-fived by parents along with coaches and players of the Georgia team.
“This is definitely the best game I’ve ever seen,” said former president of the WRALL Mark Knight.
Players for the Blue Team were: Tyler Commenia, Brittany Edwards, Jacob Hall, Jamarcus Hogues, Jabriyl Holmes, Chris Martin, Rebecca Martin, Lena Ruemker, Michael Strom and Rashun Watkins.
Players for the Red Team were: Travis Benson, Matthew Buffkin, Brittany Derr, Hagin Gooding, Alexis Halligan, Tyler Hamman, Kentavien Walker, Trey West, Annabelle Whitaker and Joel Williamson.
