Homer's Heroes: It's Time to Play Ball!

It’s Spring and baseball season will soon be starting. Tis the season for nice weather, hot dogs, ice cream, and Homer’s Heroes! While some families may be content to sit and take in a game, Homer’s Heroes is a baseball league that provides an opportunity for the whole family to participate, specifically, children with mental and physical disabilities.

Homer’s Heroes Baseball began in 1992 by the Optimist Clubs of Lincoln, and has continued to grow each year.  For six Saturdays, children with a disability can experience the fun and development of playing in an organized baseball league.  The games aren’t played to keep score, rather, the goal is to have each child play and get to bat. Players can choose to hit off a tee, or have the ball pitched to them. Each player is assigned a “Buddy” during the games. The Buddies are volunteers who give support and assistance to the players. Buddies help with anything from pushing a wheelchair, if needed, to guiding a player with visual and/or hearing impairment, to keeping a player on task.

Jeanne Cuda has been involved since around the 1993 season. At first she was asked to be a coach. Now in addition to coaching, she keeps busy as Chairwoman handling the pictures and registration for the teams. Last year, the league had 96 players using four fields for eight teams! Jeanne said coaching tends to be very rewarding and contagious, which allows her and a very supportive, organized staff of volunteers, to keep the league running smoothly every year. The coaches and Buddies come from a pool of Optimist volunteers. School teams, grandchildren and friends of Optimists, players’ parents, and firemen have all helped out as well.

In addition to the weekly games, Homer’s Heroes also has several other opportunities for fun. Each year they have team pictures, and an Awards Night Family picnic. Once the season is over, each play receives an award for participating at the Awards Night picnic. Also, The Optimist Clubs give each player two tickets for the June 27 Saltdogs game. During that game several Homer’s Heroes get to escort the Saltdog players out on the field during introductions.

There is no registration fee to participate in Homer’s Heroes, and each player receives a shirt with their name if registration is received by the May 14 deadline. No disability will prevent a child from playing. Any child with a disability between the ages of 5 and 17 can play. Players are divided into teams based on age.  Equipment, bottled water, and caps are also provided. Games are played on the Lewis Fields in Lincoln beginning June 5.

For those interested in participating this 2010 season, the games begin in June. The registration deadline is May 14. For more information, call Jeanne Cuda at 402-423-7434 or Dottie Williams 402-476-3794. Or email homersheroes1@aol.com.  The registration form can be found here.