T.Cares Partner: Special Olympics NJ Players at Citi Field

In 2016, we launched our T.Cares program to make a difference within our communities and to create a positive impact around the world. Read more about our T.Cares program here.

Most Recently, we invited three baseball players, Rich, Chris and Moose from the Special Olympics New Jersey team to attend batting practice with the New York Mets at Citi Field! Tony Vlahovic, Special Olympics NJ Team Coach shared, “The anticipation of all three athletes leading up to the Mets game included multiple phone calls, texts and emails.  All communication expressed their excitement of being together and watching a Mets game. Jeff Baldino, Senior Director of Competition, and I did not share any details of the day and we were very excited to see their faces as the day unfolded. The smiles started immediately as we entered the field. Rich said he never thought he would be on a big league field and Moose repeatedly claimed it was one of the best days of his life!”

What makes the Special Olympics NJ Organization such an amazing T.Cares Partner is their dedication to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Specifically, “The Special Olympics Baseball program has developed an incredible heart and soul for players and coaches alike since it began in 2013.  The pure joy and love for the game of baseball and each other has progressed over the past 3 years. This program enables athletes who were never given an opportunity to play baseball in their youth, develop their skills and actually play the game.  The memory I will always have in my heart is watching the team celebrate after winning the gold medal vs. Rhode Island in the 2014 USA Games.  The tears of happiness that we all had as we dogpiled and threw containers of Gatorade on each other (primarily the coaches getting soaked) just like on television!  The bonds that developed between the athletes and the coaches is something I have never experienced in my own professional career.  I would do anything to help and guide these incredible people not only in baseball, but also in their lives,” said Tony Vlahovic.

As a Tickets.com community we’re grateful for the opportunity to support such an incredible organization and we invite you to join us and get involved!

Help support the Special Olympics Baseball program and Special Olympics in general by taking the time to watch the games and attend practices to sponsoring events. Sponsorship funds are used to support all the sports and activities led by Special Olympics. Lastly, help generate interest and revenue among your friends and colleagues so you can can keep the dreams alive for these athletes to continue to play baseball.

To get involved or donate to the Special Olympics New Jersey, click here.