greasywheels121 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cws/new...s_cws&fext=.jsp White Sox play Wiffle ball with kids By Scott Merkin / MLB.com CHICAGO -- The young boy stepped to the makeshift plate in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, waiting for the pitch from White Sox outfielder Joe Borchard. With his plastic bat basically resting on the ground, the unorthodox stance looked as if it would limit his chances to make serious contact, despite the look of determination fixed on the boy's face. Borchard lofted the ball underhand toward the hitter, and the boy raised up his bat and lined the pitch whizzing past a surprised but still amused Borchard's head and toward the back of the ballroom. The proud young hitter raced all the way to second base, all the while with a huge smile having taken the place of the determined look. The other kids and parents alike cheered as this little boy, who was approximately as big as one of Borchard's thighs, started the 13th annual SoxFest off with a bang. SoxFest doesn't truly get underway until Friday at 5 p.m. CT, with the opening ceremonies beginning three days worth of activities in front of a near-sold-out crowd. But Wednesday's Wiffle ball game, pitting two teams of 12 able-bodied players and Chicago Special Olympians against each other, gave the White Sox celebration a slightly early start. This particular game also featured Borchard and Willie Harris on one team and Jamie Burke and Aaron Rowand on the second. It was a perfectly tailored event to work in conjunction with the White Sox Baseball Field Complex, being built in Mount Greenwood Park courtesy of the White Sox's $1 million charitable donation and which will include a Miracle Field for children of special needs who want to enjoy the game. "We always try to do an event before SoxFest to kick off media interest in the event," said White Sox director of community relations and advertising Christine O'Reilly of Wednesday's hotly contested Wiffle ball game. "We thought that this was a perfect opportunity for us to showcase our community initiative announced last year. "The whole idea behind the Miracle Field is it becomes a natural baseball buddy component. It involves everyone in a mainstream environment. Kids who don't normally have the opportunity can play right along with the kids who are already in Little League or a softball league. "Basically, we were getting the kids in early for their Spring Training," O'Reilly added with a smile, as the complex is set to open in the spring. Along with the players, who came into town a day or two early to be part of this event, manager Ozzie Guillen participated, serving as the umpire for this game. He joked with his players and the kids as they came to bat, and even joked about gaining a greater understanding of the job done by the men in blue during the actual Major League season. It was the sort of game that was not very foreign to Guillen when he was growing up in Venezuela. "That's why I swung at every pitch," quipped Guillen in regards to his Wiffle ball background. "Kids play this game almost every day in Venezuela. It's a great way to start. "It's actually easier to coach these [kids] than the real team," Guillen added with a wry smile. "It's fun for the kids to come out there, and it's something where the players can give back to the community. They are having fun, too." Rowand pointed out that the players were having more fun than the kids, with the White Sox outfielder hitting left-handed and Harris hitting right-handed just to add a little variety. Rowand also mentioned how this contest gives the players a little reminder of what baseball truly is all about. "This is a game, and we all fall into the category of taking it too seriously sometimes," Rowand said. "But it is a game and we are lucky enough to be able to come out and play. It's refreshing to be part of something like this." The White Sox will host a press conference totally in Spanish on Thursday for the Hispanic media, featuring Guillen, pitchers Freddy Garcia and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and shortstop Juan Uribe. Other players will make sales calls to season ticket holders, and Paul Konerko and Ben Davis will pass out Dunkin' Donuts treats to fans in line Friday morning when individual game tickets go on sale. After Wednesday evening's contest, both kids and parents alike posed with Guillen and the four players while getting autographs on gloves, bats and shirts. It was a perfect afternoon for the players of today against the players of the future. "We definitely have some kids who can hit out there," Rowand said. "Playing in this game for these kids makes their day," Burke added. "They will remember it for the rest of their life. It's special to see that smile on their face and even the parents having a good time." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 And that is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Stuff like this just gives me another reason to love the Sox. That being said, does it seem like one of the teams got a little more in the way of hitting ability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjm676 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 The young boy stepped to the makeshift plate in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, waiting for the pitch from White Sox outfielder Joe Borchard. Later on, the young boy struck out Joe Borchard on three straight pitches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 :fyou these little kids. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Just kidding White Sox and building the fan base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Good to see Borchard hasn't lost a step...struck out by a young kid!! That is awesome that the Sox are so into the community... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted January 13, 2005 Author Share Posted January 13, 2005 I also think it's cool how they'll be passing out donuts and such to the fans waiting in line for tickets on Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 11:27 AM) I also think it's cool how they'll be passing out donuts and such to the fans waiting in line for tickets on Friday. Yeah that is a great idea. I spent many a cold days out there waiting for tickets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 11:14 AM) That's awesome. Definate Quote of the Month material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 11:36 AM) Yeah that is a great idea. I spent many a cold days out there waiting for tickets. But now he calls ahead and makes certain they are open . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Good story. They showed some of it on CSN last night, Rowand smashed a ball left handed maybe he should be a switch hitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 11:37 AM) But now he calls ahead and makes certain they are open . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyKongerko Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 http://chicago.comcastsportsnet.com/media/...t112_Medium.wmv Looks like Borchard gave up a double to right-side-of-the-room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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