On a warm and sunny June 24, four Special Olympic softball teams met for a friendly tournament at Hackett Park in Sechelt. The Sunshine Coast Ravens, North Shore Shockers, Vancouver Go Gos and Coquitlam Tigers pitched, batted and ran bases.
The Ravens played their two games against Coquitlam and North Shore with encouragement, cheers and great proficiency.
The skilled playing and fun atmosphere gave the athletes an appetite for the fabulous burgers and hot dogs cooked and served by Sunshine Coast Rotary Club.
The coach for North Shore said his team was there to have fun (a feeling shared by all) and to develop as a team. Some of the Vancouver team, including local athletes Amanda Boghean and Chris Walker, are looking forward to competing at the Provincial Games, hoping to move on to the National Games.
Amanda said it was “so cool” when she played with the team in Port Coquitlam on June 3 and that Vancouver is “an awesome team.” Chris commented that it was “different and fun.” He also felt that there was a strong display of “sportsmanship.”
Special thanks go out to umpires Chuck Bertrand, Dave Diether and Samantha Mills for their fair calls and smiles.
All in all, it was an absolutely perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
– Mike Oswald, Athlete Reporter
