Summary: On Saturday, July 14, the Field of Dreams softball game will return to Wooster Foursquare Softball Field on Friendsville Rd. Loaded with talent and excitement, the game raises both funds and awareness for the Wayne County Special Olympics.
The Field of Dreams softball game has an electrifying energy. The combination of Special Olympic athletes and local business members creates a sparkthe kind of spark that brightens up the world.
Integrating individuals with developmental disabilities into the community produces a powerful opportunity to move toward increased acceptance and appreciationand this is the 14th year of that effort.
On Saturday, July 14, the game will return at Wooster Foursquare Softball Field on Friendsville Rd. From 6:30-8 p.m., community members can tailgate. Players will compete under the lights from 8-10 p.m. to the tune of a roaring crowd.
According to Don Rammel, local Special Olympic coordinator, the Special Olympians look forward to this event with excited anticipation. The athletes have been practicing twice a week for the past three weeks in preparation.
The weather starts to get warm and they ask, whens the Field of Dreams game? Rammel said. Its just a great night for our guys to come out, enjoy themselves (and) get to play softball in front of the crowd.
The Elks and PNC Bank are the major sponsors this year. The game will continue with its traditional attractions: raffles, inflatables, music, area cheerleading squads and food concessions.
In the midst of all of this activity, the Special Olympians will take center stage, seizing the opportunity to show off their skills, demonstrate their competitive nature and dispel misconceptions about developmental disabilitiesone hit and one catch at a time.
Heres the chance to come out and see in person exactly what theyre capable of, Rammel continued. Theyre athletes and they can come out and play the game.
Angela Withrow-Chenevey, employee of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce and committee member for the game, said they used to hold the event over the fourth of July. Now, the Field of Dreams Game stands on its own and attracts its own audience.
If theyve (the community) never seen the spirit of a special Olympic athlete its incredible, Withrow-Chenevey said. Weve had some business players who have done it for the past 14 years.
On July 2, the business members and Special Olympians will meet up and get to know one another. There will be a total of 20 business players and 20 Special Olympians in attendance at the game.
The funds raised are split between the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wayne County Special Olympics. According to Rammel, the money will purchase bigger items, like a new score board and new softball jerseys.
The players have had plenty of success, too. Two years ago, the softball team won the Division Four state title and three years ago, the basketball team won the Division Four state title.
This is one of those events where everybody just likes to go out and have fun, Rammel said. A chance to get in and kind of interact with the community.
Rammel added that they are always looking for volunteers. Those who are interested can call 330-345-7979 and ask for Don Rammel.
