Saturday, September 8, was a picture perfect day to open the Forney Youth Baseball Association's Challenger League Fall season at Mulberry Park. The league for special needs children is only in its third season, but already the number of kids participating has grown from 13 to over 30. This special league caught the attention of Laurel Cline, the daughter of Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers. Cline lives in Forney with her family, and asked her dad to stop by and throw out the first pitch on opening day.
Saturday, September 8, was a picture perfect day to open the Forney Youth Baseball Association's Challenger League Fall season at Mulberry Park. The league for special needs children is only in its third season, but already the number of kids participating has grown from 13 to over 30. This special league caught the attention of Laurel Cline, the daughter of Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers. Cline lives in Forney with her family, and asked her dad to stop by and throw out the first pitch on opening day.
Mulberry Park was buzzing with excitement from kids and adults. They seemed just as excited about meeting Rollie Fingers as they were to get the baseball season underway once more. Before, during, and after the game, the pitching sensation with the same unique mustache from his playing days, took time to sign autographs, shake hands, and pose for pictures with anyone who asked. His daughter, Laurel, has lived in Forney for six years and is a resident in the Diamond Creek area. When the tornado hit in April, Cline was home with her two children. Their roof was destroyed when a portion of their neighbors roof came through the Cline's roof. She was thankful she and her children were not injured.
FYBA Challenger League photos April 21
Mr. Fingers stopped in Forney for a couple of days on his way to a charity golf tournament in Evansville, Indiana. He was happy to spend time with his family, and lend his name and pitch to the Challenger League. The three-time World Series Champion threw the first pitch to Forney's Mayor Darren Rozell. Afterwards Rozell said, “It's a great testament to the Challenger League volunteers that in two short years, the league has grown to over 30 players. I was honored to be asked to catch the first pitch for Rollie Fingers. Luckily he went easy on me, and we had a great start to what I hope is a fantastic season.” Fingers said he makes it to Forney at least once a year and, “My grandson plays little league ball here, my granddaughter plays soccer, and I enjoy coming to visit. This is a great program in Forney.”
The Law Firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP organized fundraising at the opening day of the Challenger League as part of their “Pay It Forward” initiative. Employees of Weil take part in the firm-wide program to support local community organizations that are often underfunded. The Weil Dallas office chose the FYBA as one of three beneficiaries in their “Pay It Forward” program. FYBA President gave his accolades to FYBA PR Director Cheryl Mason, “Cheryl gets all the props in growing this league and putting together such a great opening day. She works hard for these kids and she runs the Challenger League.”
Though it was the adults who worked to create a terrific opening day for the awesome kids of the Challenger League, it was the kids themselves who made the day special. Their smiles, high-fives, and incredible love of baseball shone through Saturday morning. They stole our hearts on opening day of the Spring baseball season and they did it again for Fall ball. Even Rollie Fingers chose to stick around and watch the children play baseball and applauded their efforts. In a league where a single can quickly become a home-run, and no one keeps score, it was apparent that everyone at Field 8 was a winner.
More pictures are available for purchase at Big Shots Photography.