Junior Erin Sheehey watches carefully as the pitcher throws the baseball to home base. Except, for the first time in awhile, she isn’t the one holding the bat. Sheehey is the president of the Champions League Club, and helps kids with disabilities learn to play baseball through the Redondo Sunset organization. Their ages range from elementary school to high school.
“The players can make new friends their age that they don’t typically see. They don’t have the normal high school experience that we would have, so being able to talk with other high schoolers and meet other people that they can connect with over the love of baseball is very nice,” Sheehey said.
Sheehey created the Champions League Club to get more volunteers to support the organization. The organization was founded in 2020 by an RUHS student and their father with a simple goal in mind: to let kids with disabilities play baseball. A game is hosted every Sunday, and kids split into two teams for a friendly competition. Another club member, Lucas Alvear, channeled his appreciation for his sport into joining the club.
“There are a lot of kids out there who don’t have opportunities to join recreational sports teams, and I just found [joining the club] was a good way for us to give back since we’re really lucky to be in the position we are,” Alvear said. “A lot of us played through recreational sports leagues when we were growing up, so it was just a good way to give [kids with disabilities] that same opportunity.”
The Champions League Club meets once a month, where Sheehey and the other members discuss future and past games to plan and review. Sheehey says that making new friends through this program is something she looks forward to since there are volunteers from varying schools in the area.
“We have a variety of volunteers. Most are from Redondo, but we have people from other schools nearby who come and help,” Sheehey said. “It’s nice to meet kids your age that you probably wouldn’t meet and talk to in school.”
According to Sheehey, seemingly small actions such as setting reminders and making sure others can find the room were the biggest difficulties she faced. Despite these setbacks, the Champions League Club gives the students who volunteer a very comfortable space where they can enjoy the activity.
“Seeing the kids [who participate in the league] that go to RUHS and connecting with other kids within the community is really nice. It’s cool to have that relationship with them, and to know that you’re giving kids a place to be themselves and play freely,” said Alvear.
Working as a team is important. According to Sheehey, her motivation for continuing the club was being surrounded by other students who share the same devotion to helping others.
“[My favorite memories from this club] is seeing support from my friends, and from other people coming,” Sheehey said. “I just really enjoy giving other kids the opportunity to play the sport they love.”
