Batting For Kids Challenge offers life lessons for metro Detroit youths By Sue Teggart DETROIT — While the Major League Baseball All-Star game got under way July 15, youngsters from around metro Detroit got to be All-Stars for a day at the seventh annual Willie Horton’s Batting for Kids Challenge July 14 at Comerica Park. The event was sponsored by Don Bosco Hall — a nonprofit agency for the enrichment of Detroit’s youths — and was hosted by Comerica Park through a joint effort between the Detroit Tigers and the Youth Development Commission. “(The event) is really a representation of Willie Horton’s spirit,” said Randy McNeil, president of the Youth Development Commission. “He has always been for kids having a great opportunity to have fun and develop. This has given us a great platform to help kids experience something and grow.” Horton was absent from this year’s festivities due to a commitment at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, but Ike Blessitt — also a native Detroiter and Horton’s teammate from the 1972 Tigers squad — was on hand to promote and support the batting challenge. “This is a beautiful sight,” Blessitt said. “This gives kids positive reinforcement. You can get education through sports. … It’s unity, and it gives kids self-esteem.” The number of participants at this year’s event neared 500, marking the most registrants on record. In its first year, the challenge had 250 sign up. Participants between the ages of 7 and 16 paid a $10 a registration fee and then took part in various baseball-related competitions. The proceeds from the afternoon go to Don Bosco Hall. Throughout the day, the kids also got to hear from a variety of professionals who have overcome challenges in their lives and became responsible and successful adults. Melvin Byrd, chairman of the board of directors for Don Bosco Hall, said that over the years, he has seen the positive effect events like this one can have on the youngsters from Don Bosco Hall. “We have a lot of young men who have been successful in their life that were former residents of Don Bosco Hall,” Byrd said. “When they come back to talk about their experience, that lets the youngsters know that a young man that has become successful is not far from their own position.” Amid the baseball skills competition, which included running bases, batting and throwing, the batting challenge taught kids valuable life lessons. “We’re trying to teach kids about leadership, sportsmanship, honor and integrity,” said Sam Abrams, Detroit Tigers manager of player relations, youth and sports programs. “Hopefully, the kids will see what’s going on today and carry those same traits throughout their lives.” The event extended beyond the kids, as many volunteers and sponsors helping out behind the scenes got plenty out of the afternoon, as well. For Bob Opalewski, a Roseville resident who volunteered through his employer, Home Depot, it was his seventh year helping out and his second year as the event photographer for Don Bosco Hall. “This (event) happened to catch my eye because I come to a lot of Tigers games. It was a great way to get involved,” Opalewski said. “It’s such a good time to see the joy in all the kids’ faces.” Opalewski’s children — Kayla, 14, and Patrick, 10 — enjoyed their third year at the challenge. To them, the event gave them the opportunity to step foot onto a Major League Baseball field to compete. “You feel like the players,” Kayla said. “It’s fun.” While the essence of the challenge was to give youngsters an opportunity to be involved in a physical activity and curb negativity, what organizers hope the batting challenge ultimately offered was the motivation for youngsters to do something great with their lives. “We are the sum of our experiences,” McNeil said. “The more we can cram into that experience, the better we can be.” You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107. |
