Bill O’Boyle

Bill O’Boyle

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Victory Sports will begin its 12th season next week and memories will again be made that will last a lifetime.

Victory is a program my parents would love to attend games to cheer for these adults with mental and/or physical challenges. My morn and dad each had a disability that never slowed either of them down. That’s why they would enjoy watching the Victory participants not only play sports, but enjoy the game we all love.

One of the best memories happened when we held a Challenger Little League Old-Timers Game, bringing back many of our original Challenger players who had “aged-out” of the program when they turned 19. Our group had started Challenger in NEPA in 1990 — we were the second Challenger Little League in Pennsylvania. Williamsport, naturally, was the first.

To celebrate those 20 years, we decided to hold that Old-Timers Day game.

About 30-plus participants from the early years of Challenger, showed up to play. One of those players, Eddie Orlosky of Duryea, asked a question: “How come we can’t play baseball anymore just because we got older?”

Well this was April and by August, we had formed Victory Sports for adults and 12 years later, the program is flourishing with baseball, basketball, dances, social events, field trips and more. The social skills of these young men and women have improved and parents and caregivers sing the praises of the Victory Sports program.

Back in the Challenger days, Andy Ashby, former pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and other MLB teams, met Christina Capitano, one of the original Challenger players.

During a game in 1991 at what is now PNC Field, Capitano walked over to Ashby and asked for his autograph. Ashby complied and the wide-eyed Capitano, then 10, asked a question: “Why should I want your autograph?”

Ashby told her he played for the Phillies, to which Capitano responded: “You do? So do I.”

Do you see the simplistic charm in that?

That’s what Victory Sports is all about. Everybody is on the same team. Every game ends in a tie and nobody ever gets out.

There have been hundreds of great moments in Victory Sports. Like when Brandon Harvey caught the ball. A close second memory was when A.J. Warakomski hit the ball — a home run on the very first pitch ever thrown in a Victory game. And there was the time Joey Hoffman sang the national anthem.

Back in 2013, Brandon Harvey was playing third base — an unusual position for a left-hander — in a Victory Sports game at the Forty Fort Little League Field.

Harvey, of Plymouth, has Down syndrome.

Jimmy Bonchonsky was at the plate and hit a pop fly.

Harvey settled under the ball and caught it. Bonchonsky stood on first base celebrating his “hit.”

Before baseball “experts” attempt to clear this up — just know that this was a very unusual play in a very unusual baseball league where a group of exceptional athletes compete.

While Harvey’s catch was remarkable — league officials can’t recall anyone ever actually recording an out — every play of every game is special to the players, their parents, volunteers and fans. And the outcomes — measured unscientifically by the parents and caregivers — are astounding.

Yes, Brandon Harvey caught the ball, but Jimmy Bonchonsky was safe at first.

A.J. Warakomski’s memory occurred in the first Victory season on the very first pitch in the first-ever Victory Sports game. A.J. Warakomski hit a home run. Not an inside-the-park homer, but a real home run — over the fence — by a mile.

It was remarkable because the ball used in Challenger and Victory is a softer baseball that is more difficult to hit far. But A.J. Warakomski defied the odds that day.

Whether they have Down syndrome, or muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis, these athletes aren’t gifted with the same coordination or agility that other athletes possess.

But the effort and enthusiasm are there — and always at 100-plus percent.

And when Brandon Harvey caught the ball in 2013, he celebrated. He raised his hands, bobbed his head up and down and gave high-fives to almost everyone in Forty Fort. It was a Major League moment in every way.

Across the diamond from third base another celebration was going on at first base — the batter, Jimmy Bonchonsky, was celebrating his “hit.” Jimmy crossed first base and stood his ground as he awaited the next batter.

With Victory Sports, you will always see a real baseball game played by real baseball players who are concerned about one thing — giving their very best while playing the game they love.

Memories that will last forever. Like Joey Hoffman singing the national anthem before a RailRiders game and getting a standing ovation.

In Victory Baseball, very game is played on a field of dreams.

And those dream always come true.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at [email protected].