By: Kevin McDonnell ’12

No one was keeping track of RBI’s, ERA’s, or pitching speeds last Friday at the BR Buddy Night.  Instead, they were keeping track of something much more valuable – smiles and laughs.

On Friday, February 10, the Brother Rice baseball squad combined with the Mother McAuley softball team to host a BR Buddy Night in both Brother Rice gyms to reach out to the community and support children and adults with special needs.  Mother McAuley and Brother Rice athletes helped the participants of all ages in any way they could.  Coach John McCarthy from Brother Rice and Coach Colleen Kilduff from Mother McAuley ran the event along with their assistants, making sure the night went smoothly.  Mother McAuley senior pitcher Ashley Rodgers commented, “It was fun to work with the guys from Brother Rice to create an impactful night.”

The event began at 6:30 P.M., although many participants arrived early to meet the players, coaches, and get loose with stretching and a few rounds of batting practice.

The activities took place in the Brother Rice North and South gyms, as the two groups of participants split up to play individual games in each gym.  Every participant received a chance to hit as well as play in the field.  The McAuley and Brother Rice volunteers helped umpire and teach the participants the basics of the game.  Brother Rice senior Kyle Bernaciak said, “The event was very successful, and it was rewarding to see a smile on each participant’s face throughout the night.”

The games concluded around 7:45 P.M., and the hungry competitors went to the library for pizza, pop, and an assortment of desserts. The library had never been so full of laughter and conversation as the players and volunteers discussed the games with one another.  The coaches, players, and volunteers took this as an opportunity to get to know one another while enjoying the food.

Coach McCarthy concluded the night with a speech thanking everyone involved in the successful event.  The night went well and ran without any problems.  Participant Mark McDonnell, uncle of Kevin McDonnell ’12, summed up the night: “It was fun to get to know all the guys on the team and play with them.  Maybe one day I could play for Brother Rice.”

Special thanks go out to Katie Kettering of Miracles Happen Baseball; Lisa Mulcrone, Special Recreation Coordinator at Mt. Greenwood Park District; Cindy Bernaciak from Brother Rice Baseball for coordinating the event; and sponsors Beggar’s Pizza and Pizza Man.

Mrs. Holly Simon, mother of participant Nate, summed up the feelings evoked on her blog which you can find here.