Shooting For Success Sign-ups

Shooting For Success is having their sign ups this Thursday Sept. 24 at 6:30pm at First Baptist Church in Russellville. The league is for kids K-12 . The kids will be evaluated and they will answer any Questions the parents might have at the meeting Thursday. It cost $30 to play and that includs their shirt and a picture. If money is an issue the church will help sponsor the child. The sign ups are for volunteers also. Their will be a 30 minute training session for the volunteers and let you meet the child you will be helping. The games will be Oct. 1, 8, 15, and 22. Anyone needing more information can call Jay at First Baptist Church of Russellville at 968-1316

The Pottsville City council will be having a special meeting this Thursday 8/6 at 7:30 pm to vote on condemning and buying the land between the ball park and the school. This is approximately 22 acres that the city will be using as a city park, more fields and other things the community would like in a park. If the city purchases the property they will be trying for a government grant to help pay for the property and improvements. The new baseball fields and a portion of the parking lot will be handicap accessable. If you think this is a good idea we need to have as many people as possible at the meeting to show their support so this will pass. Please help spread the word about this meeting so we will have a good turnout. Thanks and I hope to see you there.

Mark

We Were In The Paper

Just wanted to let you all know that A Field Of Angels were featured in today's edition of The Courier.

The Last Game Of The Season

Today was the last game of our season. The older teams played on the softball field and the younger teams played on the small baseball field. The sun was shining and their was lots of cheering from the crowd. We started the day with Jason Campbell singing the National Anthem. Then each player had their name announced over the PA system. After the games, Mark presented each player with their trophy. After receiving their trophy, each player stood on home plate, with their trophy, while their name was announced over the PA. (Thanks Robby for letting us use your PA system). When the games were done, it was time for the hot dog celebration.
I can't believe the season is already over. I have made some great new friends, and I have become a big fan of some really awesome ball players. I will never forget the faces of the players as they held their trophies, the crowd cheering and tons of people taking pictures. They were real super stars today.
For those of you going to the game tomorrow, I look forward to seeing you! I know we will have a great time.
You can keep up with A Field of Angels through the blog. We will post any game days, sign-ups, ect. here.

I will have new pictures up soon:)

Arkansas Travelers Game Rescheduled

The A Field of Angels trip to the Arkansas Travelers game in Little Rock has been rescheduled. The game starts at 2:00 but our players will need to be there at 12:30. For more information contact myself or Mark. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Trip to Travelers Game Cancelled

Due to the weather, Mark has cancelled A Field of Angels players trip to see the Arkansas Traveler's Ball game today. He is going to reschedule for another day.

The Sun Is Shining!

Thank goodness the sun was shining and we were able to play today. My day started off with a hug an a kiss from Canyon. That is a pretty awesome way to start the day! The fields were dried out, so the younger team was able to play on the t-ball field. We tried to play three innings, but we didn't quite make it. I hear the big kids had a great game as well. Mark handed out the players pictures. If you didn't get yours today, check with him tomorrow or at the next game.
Speaking of tomorrow.......Tomorrow is the Arkansas Travelers game in Little Rock. I may not be able to go so take lots of pictures please. Everyone have a great time!


Directions to Dickey-Stephens Park From I-40
Follow I-40 east into North Little Rock. Merge onto I-30 west and take to the Broadway exit. Turn right off the highway and follow Broadway six blocks to the ballpark.

Games are Cancelled for today

Due to the rain the games are cancelled for today. I am looking forward to seeing you all next week.

Game Two

Yesterday was a wild and chaotic day. The players had individual and team pictures taken. We handed out t-shirts to the parents who had ordered them and sold out of the other extra ones we had on hand. (Thanks by the way to Marie who helped with the t-shirt sales). We had 4 new players join the team and we had sign-ups for the upcoming Arkansas Travelers game.
Eventually we were able to warm up and start the two games. The park was incredibly muddy but the fields weren't too bad. I think the kids really enjoyed themselves.
Special thanks to Clint and the boys who were up early getting the fields ready for us to play on. Next time you see Cindy Thompson make sure to tell her thanks. She has purchased slushies for the teams the last two weekends.
Have a great Mothers day and I look forward to seeing all of you next weekend!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game....

I have great news! Mark would like to take you to a Arkansas Travelers baseball game in Little Rock on May 24th. A Field of Angels will provide tickets for all A Field of Angels players- player's parents - and volunteers. Yay! (by the way my common button was a casualty of the sprite incident. Of course it couldn't have been a key I never use). We will be sitting on the berm so bring blankets and/or lawn chairs. After the game you can stay at the park and watch the firework show put on by the Osborn family for Riverfest. If you would like to go please sign up tomorrow at the ball game.

Hopefully the rain will stay away so we can play our games tomorrow. We have 4 new players this week. I can't wait to meet them.

Don't forget pictures are tomorrow at 8:30am and we will have both of our games at 9am.

My Computer Is Out Of The Hospital:)

My poor laptop made it home from the hospital and is almost as good as new. It has been really tough without it. I had no idea how addictive being on the computer really was. Now I know. I have finally down loaded all the pictures that were emailed from the first game and they are on the slide show.
I would like to remind all of the players about pictures this Saturday at 8:30 am.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you this weekend!

Weather Cancellations and pictures

TODAY'S GAMES ARE CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN.

Sorry I haven't downloaded the rest of the pictures yet. I spilled sprite on my laptop and it is currently in the computer hospital.

Also, pictures will be Saturday, May 9th at 8:30 am at the ball fields.

Our First Game Day

Today was our first game day. It was great! I didn't get to catch the first game, but heard it was wonderful. I did get to catch the second game. Yes, I skipped today's classes (with the permission of my boss of course). I couldn't stay away. I was able to hang out and play catch with a few of our players. Let me tell you what, I think we have a few naturals on the team. Samuel has quite an arm, and Justin can run like no body's business. In fact, I may skip running today after chasing him around. There was a lot of talent today out on the field. I can't wait to get to know each and every player. I think everyone had a good time today. I took a few pictures. I am going to try to have them on the blog today. If you have any pictures you would like to share, PLEASE do so.
Mark announced after the second game that starting next week, both games will be held at 9am instead of having one at 9am and one at 11am.
I am already looking forward to next week!

Our First Volunteer Meeting

Yesterday we had our first volunteer meeting. It was so nice to see everyone. We handed out volunteer t-shirts and a few of the players caps. We will be handing out the players t-shirts Saturday before the game.
At the meeting we had a few of the player's parents discuss their child's special needs. ( One of our players was a little disappointed that he wasn't getting to play that very day). One thing Mark suggested, if you know a particular player, try to pair up with him/her. They maybe more comfortable with someone they are familar with.
Many of our volunteers and their parents will be playing in the Rumble On The River softball tournament this weekend. This may leave us a little short on volunteers Saturday. Anyone who can help out, please be at the Pottsville Ball Fields at 9:00 am or 11:00am. The PAA has covered the concession stand for us. (Bless you Andrea)! This will allow us to use more of our volunteers on the field.
I am so excited that the first game is this weekend, but disappointed that I won't be there due to continuing education I have for my job. So PLEEAAASSE take pictures and email/call me with any stories/experiences you have this Saturday. I don't want to miss out!
A special thanks to Mullen's Team Sports for donating all of the volunteer t-shirts, Feltner's Athletes Corner for donating all of our players caps, and Sportscene for donating our players shirts. When you shop at their stores be sure to tell them how wonderful they are! We really appreciate them.

Have a fun this Saturday. And let me know everything !!!

The Teams Coming Together

I just wanted to update everyone. After four sign-ups our teams are coming together nicely. As of March 14th, we have 45 children registered to play ball. We will have two teams for ages 4 to 11, and two teams for ages 12 to 18. Any child that has not signed up yet, but would like to play can still sign up. After April 29th, they may not be able to have a team t-shirt as Mark is placing the shirt order on the 30th.
Also, as of March 14th, we have 33 volunteers. 17 students and 16 adults. I know there are several more volunteers that haven't turned in their forms yet.
We will be holding our first volunteer meeting Sunday April 19th, at 2:00 at the Pottsville Ball Fields. Parents of the players are encouraged to attend to let us know of any special things we may need to consider to accommodate their children.

The TENTATIVE game schedule is posted on the side of the blog.
I will keep you updated on the blog as more information becomes available.

The Dream

Hello, my name is Heather Harris, and I am pleased to say that I will be assisting Mark Brashear and The Pottsville Athletic Association with his program for special need children, A Field Of Angels. This goal of this program is to help children with special needs experience the joy of baseball, in a positive and safe environment.

Each athlete will be paired with a volunteer, who will assist him or her while at bat, and in the field. We have adapted the game with special equipment, and rules, so that each player has an opportunity to hit the ball and run the bases.

It is our goal, that we would be able to provide this experience without financial burden to the athlete’s families; and that we would eventually be able to provide them with a field designed for their special needs.

A Field Of Angels is open to all River Valley special needs children from Kindergarten to 12th grade. We will have four to six games, with a 30-minute practice session before each game. We plan to host the games on Saturdays at the softball fields. The last game of the season will be a special game, heavily promoted through the newspaper, so that there will be lots of spectators to encourage our players. Followed by, an awards ceremony and hot dog lunch, where each player will receive an award, and will get to hear their name called on the PA system.

To make A Field Of Angels a success: Mark, The Pottsville Athletic Association, and I are looking for contributions of time, as well as money. Anyone, age 11 and older, may become a volunteer to help our special athletes. Your tax-deductible contribution will go to help this much needed, and very worthy league. We want anyone with special needs to be able to participate in this league, no matter what their financial situation.
If you are interested in volunteering your time, making a donation, financial or otherwise please contact Mark Brashear or myself at :

AFieldofAngels@gmail.com