HOLMDEL – The St. John Vianney High School (SJVHS) Baseball team invited players from the Special Olympics New Jersey Organization to practice with them earlier this month.
The Special Olympic athletes practiced alongside the junior varsity and varsity baseball players. Each athlete was paired with a SJVHS baseball player who was his buddy for the day. The Special Olympic New Jersey athletes fielded ground balls, batted, ran the bases, and were able to be part of the SJVHS baseball team for the day.
SJVHS junior, Danny Schirmacher became aware of the Special Olympics New Jersey program at a weight lifting seminar given by Casey Henderson, coach services manager for Special Olympics New Jersey. Schirmacher then contacted his coach and school administrators and organized the event.
“It was awesome to have his support and I was so pleased with the demeanor and respect of all the players,” Henderson said.
Special Olympics New Jersey provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The philosophy behind the programs that Special Olympics New Jersey offers is one of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for our athletes to join volunteers and family members in developing skill and confidence through sport, resulting in acceptance in their local communities.
Future goals are to have the SJVHS baseball team play a game with the Special Olympic New Jersey Baseball Team.
