A DAY OF FIRSTS

Lake Erie Crushers hold home opener; deafeat Normal CornBelters

It was a day of firsts May 15 at the home opener for the Lake Erie Crushers at Sprenger Stadium in Avon.

As the team took the field, 2009 Baseball Blvd., to compete against the Normal (Illinois) CornBelters, a crowd, not put off by the rain earlier in the day, settled in to watch some of America’s pastime.

Despite opening day actually being Senior Day, fourth graders from Columbia Station’s Copopa Elementary School made up the bulk of the crowd.

Valerie Templeton, a teacher at Copopa Elementary, said the 58 children were there on a field trip; their first to the stadium.

“We have never been to the (stadium),” Templeton said. “This was originally set up as an education day and they had three of them on the schedule, and so we chose this day as one of our education days.”

She said they later learned the schedule was changed for the home opener to be Senior Day, but the students’ schedule wouldn’t allow a change in plans.

“We’re a Lorain County school, so I think it lets

“It reminds me of what I used to be.”

— Bob Wicktora of Rocky River

them see other parts of the county they live in,” Templeton said. “I’m happy it’s Senior (Citizen) Day, too, because we are very proud of our group.

They’re very well-behaved; we treasure our senior citizens.”

A few rows behind the group of students was 95-year-old Bob Wicktora of Rocky River, who sat with friends.

Wicktora wore a pull over jacket over his arms to protect them from the sun, which quickly was heating the air and drying the few puddles remaining from the pregame showers.

This was Wicktora’s first Crushers game and he seemed to enjoy it, though he did wish there was a few more hits.

“Either the pitchers are real good, or the batters aren’t good,” he said with a laugh. “I’m enjoying it, though.”

Wicktora said he never played baseball, but he always encouraged his children to play little league.

When asked about his proximity to the batch of chattering schoolchildren nearby, Wicktora said they were enhancing his enjoyment of the game.

“I like to see young people,” he said. “It reminds me of what I used to be.”

Some of the youngest attendees of the game were Chuckie Coffaro, 4, and his 1-year-old sister Sophia, who were enjoying the festivities from seats on the third base line.

This was Chuckie and Sophia’s first Crusher’s game as well and the pair seemed to enjoy it as they whooped and wailed as the players made their way around the bases.

Chuckie said he likes baseball and has started playing the sport. He said he likes batting the most.

Moments later, Kevin LaChance, an infielder for the Crushers, hit a home run scoring the first two runs of the game.

Chuckie let out a whoop.

When asked whether he thinks he could hit a home run, he seemed pretty sure of himself.

“Yeah,” he said with a smile.

The Crushers defeated the CornBelters, 2-1, to even their record at 2-2.

The next game is 11:05 a.m., May 16, against the CornBelters.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL A couple takes in the Lake Erie Crushers home opener May 15, for Senior Day at Sprenger Stadium in Avon. The Crushers extended their win streak to two games with a 2-1 home opener win over the Normal CornBelters.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Stomper signs autographs for 10 year olds Nina Balachino, left, and Bailey Gonia, during the Crushers’ home opener May 15. The two attended the game with their fellow classmates from Copopa Elementary School in Columbia Station.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL The Lake Erie Crushers extended their win streak to two games, with a 2-1 home opener win over the Normal CornBelters, May 15.