ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Creekside High School football players volunteered at the Field of Dreams in St. Johns County on Saturday.
Ten-year-old Reese rounded the bases at Aberdeen Park. She is one of nearly 250 Field of Dreams athletes in this season’s baseball league of stars, all with mental or physical challenges.
Fourteen-year-old Jackson loves playing for the Nationals.
“Amazing. Way fun and way cool. Super Duper awesome,” Jackson said.
The field is used every Friday and Saturday. This time, the Creekside High School football team served as “buddies” to help keep the game flowing and assist these athletes if they needed it.
Aaron Tsataros, Jaxson Earle, and their coach consider this day one of their favorites.
“Getting to know Reese, she loves to talk and loves to play the game and wants to play sports. She loves getting to know you. It was really good interacting with her and everyone else,” Earle said.
Tsataros said it’s been awesome getting to know Jackson.
“He’s been hitting the ball really well and it’s been a lot of fun,” Tsataros said.
Sean McIntyre, the head coach, said every kid deserves to have excitement and enjoyment.
“Watching them hit the ball and run the basis and have that fulfillment in their life,” McIntyre said. “Watching [the football players] be compassionate with people and work with them is phenomenal and watching their heart grow.”
Field of Dreams is in its 15th season of existence. George Vancore, a co-founder, devotes his time making this experience worth it for everyone who takes the field.
“It really touches your heart. How can it not? To see these kids being able to play a game that you and I can pick up and play along the street,” Vancore said.
He even gets help from his granddaughter, Maggie Pfab, who has volunteered for the last five years.
“He helps me understand and connect with my buddy. I have been a ball girl. It is an amazing experience,” Pfab said.
Twelve-year-old Charlie is autistic and nonverbal. He plays on the Cubs and his dad, Michael Ryan, is his coach.
“It is amazing to see the progress that he has made and to see the progress at the other kiddos have made that we have been coaching over the years,” Ryan said. “I have kids that started out that would not even pick up a bat. Now I have kids batting, they are hitting the ball. They are fielding now, which is amazing.”
St. Johns County officials approved a $1.5 million expansion for its disability-friendly Field of Dreams baseball field.
The field will have its existing parking lot expanded, and a new concession building with ADA-accessible restrooms will be added.
Lives are changed through baseball on the Field of Dreams.
