Individuals with disabilities taking part in Community Living, Inc.’s Social Opportunities and Recreation (SOAR) summer camp recently got the chance to exercise their baseball skills inside T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O’Fallon, as part of a special baseball camp hosted by the St. Charles County-based Stallions Baseball Club.
The day-long camp gave participants the chance to run the bases, work on batting and throwing techniques and get practice fielding ground balls. The special event concluded with a game, in which all 40 SOAR campers were able to take a turn at bat inside the home of the River City Rascals.
“The event gave our SOAR campers the chance to play and practice baseball on a real field with real baseball players,” said Kristen Paez, Director of CLI Family Services. “The Stallions players allow the kids to learn the baseball skills at their own pace, and they really work to make sure each participant feels extremely special. We’re grateful to the Stallions for giving our SOAR campers this fun opportunity.”
The Stallions Baseball Club is a non-profit organization that gives high school baseball players the chance to continue playing ball during the summer. Based in St. Charles County, the club draws players from the Wentzville and Fort Zumwalt school districts, as well as from Troy and private schools in the area.
“The Stallions organization believes in not only building baseball players, but also great men,” said Stallions coach and SOAR summer camp staff member Mike Rothermich. “This camp was a great way for our players to give back to their community.”
CLI’s SOAR program serves youth ages 12-21 who are diagnosed with a developmental disability. The program offers after-school teen club, summer camp, and break camp. The program helps individuals build independence, confidence and social skills in a safe and supportive environment. Activities include field trips, outdoor recreation, crafts, games and more.
For more information on the baseball camp or CLI’s SOAR summer camp, individuals can visit Community Living’s website at www.cliservices.org, or call (636) 970-2800.
For More Information:
Christine Rutherford
Community Living, Inc.
(636) 970-2800