The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
We’re talking softball Legends
Cleveland sports legends enjoy a game while raising money for charity
Sprenger Stadium was once again the place of legends.
Cleveland sports legends gathered on June 23 at Sprenger Stadium to wow fans with their softball abilities, all while competing for a great cause.
For the second year in a row, proceeds from the event will benefit Our Lady of the Wayside, an organization established over 50 years ago which supports children
and adults with developmental disabilities through services such as managing homes in more than 40 communities across Northeast Ohio, operating a fleet of over 155 vehicles and pioneering the Pathways Program — a innovative day program for adults with developmental disabilities.
Len Barker, a former Indians pitcher, said it’s his responsibility along with other athletes to give back to the community.
“We’ve done things with them (Lady of Wayside) before and they’re a great organization,” Barker said. “They help out a lot of people and it’s also fun to come here with guys I know and have seen play on different sports teams. We have a lot of fun, believe it or not — we don’t look very good out there, but we have fun.”
Barker said when he gets on the field, the competitive juices kick in.
“Oh hell yeah it does,” Barker added, who’s pitching prowess was not enough to lead his Purple Team to victory as the Yellow Team won, 16-13. “You play to win, if we’re out here, then we want to win. It’s fun.”
Recently retired Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas echoed Barker’s sentiments about the charity work.
“I thought it would be a great way to give back,” Thomas said. “That’s why I’m here. Any time with the kids is valuable, and you’ve got to pick and choose and make sure it’s the right event. Being able to support some really good charities is a worthy cause to leave the house.”
Thomas, though, is in a little unchartered territory playing softball.
“I’m hoping not to completely embarrass myself,” he said before the game. “I took batting practice with the Indians like two weeks ago, and it didn’t go very well. My optimism is an all-time low for my performance tonight. Hopefully the fans can see that we’re giving our best effort. It may suck, but we’re trying hard.”
Former Indian and former Crushers bench coach Joe Charboneau competed for the second year in a row. Charboneau coaches baseball at Notre Dame College, which plays its home games at Sprenger Stadium, along with Barker.
“I bought 13 tickets for this thing,” Charboneau said, who was the starting pitcher for Legends Yellow Team. “I like bringing family and friends in. To be here with Mark Price and Austin Carr, Joe Thomas, I love it. I love the media guys here, you hear them on the radio all the time. It’s a great time.”
Charboneau admits his skills have diminished at 63 years old.
“I can’t do much athletically anymore,” he said. “But it’s a blast. There is no looking good, man. But I’m in the gym a lot and I work with the kids at Notre Dame College, staying in shape. It’s so much fun to get out here and do this.”
A pair of Cavaliers legends were on hand with Austin Carr and Mark Price. Price has his jersey hanging from the rafters at Quicken Loans
Arena.
“Because it’s an event for charity, the chance to come back to the Cleveland area is always fun for me,” Price said. “I don’t live in the area anymore and it’s always fun to come back.”
And, while Carr, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI and triple, may not know where LeBron James will be next season, he did know one thing: the night was about charity.
“Community involvement is always something I’ve been involved in,” Carr said. “I get to play with all my partners here. I used to love baseball, but unfortunately I broke my hand. Being involved in the community, especially in the generation some of us came through, giving back is what it’s all about.”
Among the legends was former Keystone softball player Brooke Piazza, who just captured a state title earlier in the month, and Avon baseball coach Craig Kirschner. Piazza had two hits and a run scored.
“I would never have ever expected this, so it’s a great experience,” Piazza said. “I was nervous. Playing alongside Austin Carr and Joe Thomas was pretty cool. Everybody cheered me when I was hitting batting practice, and I don’t know if it’s because they thought I was a girl and could hit, but it was funny.”