Paulwny
07-31-2001, 03:49 PM
Part of a column in the Buffalo News.Billy's season ends safely at the plate
By BUCKY GLEASON
7/31/01
You might remember Billy Nosek, the boy with Down's syndrome who came to symbolize what Little League baseball should represent while playing in Lancaster-Depew. He went 0-for-the-season last summer but he had parents and kids from both benches cheering for him when he hit a foul ball on his last at-bat.
Well, Billy was back for more this year. Coaches in the league agreed to bend the rules for another season. His outs did not count but his runs did. Kids on the other teams continued to help him run the bases. Opposing pitchers kept grooving fastballs down the middle, allowing Billy to muster a couple hits.
And then this:
Billy's team, the Blue Jays, made the playoffs but was losing handedly when he stepped up to the plate with a man on first. He hit a deep fly ball toward the lights and into the night. Kids barreled off the bench to see the ball bouncing on the other side of the fence. Nobody could fathom what they had witnessed, including the umpire who was convinced Billy hit a one-hopper for a ground-rule double. While the umpire ordered him back to second base, parents from both teams insisted the ball cleared the wall for a home run.
Once the ump realized his mistake, he motioned for Billy to complete his first - and possibly his last - home-run trot. Billy loves attention, so naturally he didn't take a leisurely jog. He booked around the bases and dove head first into home. The only dry eyes in the house belonged to Billy, who was just happy to be in the game. Nobody seemed to mind that his team lost, 6-2, with both runs coming from his homer.
Yes, he kept the ball.
By BUCKY GLEASON
7/31/01
You might remember Billy Nosek, the boy with Down's syndrome who came to symbolize what Little League baseball should represent while playing in Lancaster-Depew. He went 0-for-the-season last summer but he had parents and kids from both benches cheering for him when he hit a foul ball on his last at-bat.
Well, Billy was back for more this year. Coaches in the league agreed to bend the rules for another season. His outs did not count but his runs did. Kids on the other teams continued to help him run the bases. Opposing pitchers kept grooving fastballs down the middle, allowing Billy to muster a couple hits.
And then this:
Billy's team, the Blue Jays, made the playoffs but was losing handedly when he stepped up to the plate with a man on first. He hit a deep fly ball toward the lights and into the night. Kids barreled off the bench to see the ball bouncing on the other side of the fence. Nobody could fathom what they had witnessed, including the umpire who was convinced Billy hit a one-hopper for a ground-rule double. While the umpire ordered him back to second base, parents from both teams insisted the ball cleared the wall for a home run.
Once the ump realized his mistake, he motioned for Billy to complete his first - and possibly his last - home-run trot. Billy loves attention, so naturally he didn't take a leisurely jog. He booked around the bases and dove head first into home. The only dry eyes in the house belonged to Billy, who was just happy to be in the game. Nobody seemed to mind that his team lost, 6-2, with both runs coming from his homer.
Yes, he kept the ball.