By Jason Benedek, Staff Writer
Allied Softball in Howard County is a friendly softball league of teams consisting of players with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and “partners,” or high school students who serve as the support staff during games and practices. With the season beginning in just a couple of weeks, River Hill Allied Softball is super excited to get started for the upcoming season.
Coach Van Deusen, the head coach of River Hill Football, has been the longtime coach of the River Hill allied softball team as well. His kindness, leadership, and support for the local community has definitely sparked the recent success of this softball program. He is going to do a great job leading the team for the upcoming season.
The partners play a huge role in the team’s success as well. They voluntarily act as mentors for the players as they help the softball games move along, make sure the players are having a great time, and overall build great relationships with the players as well. Allied softball could not be what it is today without the help and support of the helpers.
When asked what he is most excited about for the upcoming season, junior partner Ben Burton explained, “I am really looking forward to building new relationships with my River Hill peers.” He adds that, “ I chose to play allied softball because it’s really nice to connect with a side of River Hill I might not normally be with.”
The helpers are fully aware that what they are doing is a very good deed, and that they are truly helping out the community.
“I think it’s important to make sure that the players of the team get my support and motivation. When the team feels the support of the helpers and also the support of the school, is when they have the most fun,” stated Ben.
First time partner, Dillon DeMasi, is also really looking forward to helping out with the softball players.
“It should be super fun to work with all the kids and see them get better, and have a lot of fun as the season progresses,” stated Dillon. “I’m really pumped up for the games too. I think it’ll be fun to travel with the team and really spend a lot of time with them.
Dillon encourages people to be helpers when he says, “People should definitely sign up to be a mentor for the allied softball team. It’s always good to try something new and maybe even hang out with a different group. Plus, it’s a good deed for sure.”
There is no doubt that Allied Softball is a great opportunity for kids in the Howard County Community. Allied softball gives anyone and everyone the opportunity to have fun and play softball as a team. Make sure you are able to come cheer on and support the Players and the helpers at the games once the season starts. It is going to be an unbelievably fun season with lots of fun to be had and memories to be made.