A dozen members of the Glocester Little League Challengers enjoy a day at Boston's Fenway Park, including hitting tips and batting practice.

01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, September 1, 2005

BY KATIE WARCHUT
Journal Staff Writer

BOSTON -- A determined 8-year-old Leeann Phillips marched up to home plate.

With a piece of her short blond hair in a pigtail on the side of her head and wearing glasses, her pink sneakers were spread in an even stance, as her coach had just taught her.

She pulled back the aluminum bat, aimed at the baseball on top of the tee, and made direct contact.

It was an opportunity New England baseball fans grow up dreaming about -- a hit inside Fenway Park.

Phillips wasn't on the field, however, but in a room behind the Red Sox dugout, where she and 11 other members of the Glocester Little League Challengers, who have physical and mental disabilities, practiced batting.

It was only hours before the real Red Sox players would warm up for a game.

And, just like Johnny Damon and David Ortiz, the youths received pointers from the Red Sox head batting coach, Ron "Papa Jack" Jackson.

"That was outstanding, girl!" Jackson said to Phillips, who beamed with pride.

The batting clinic was part of a program sponsored by CVS that brought challenger teams from around New England to Fenway Park. The Glocester group included special-needs youngsters from around northwestern Rhode Island, their "buddies" from Ponaganset High School, and parents.

Many missed the first day of school or work, but nobody seemed to mind.

Most have Down syndrome, said the team's manager, Beth Keeling, but some have autism or other disabilities. The team works mainly on skills, instead of playing games. Mostly, they love snack time and hanging out with their high school friends who are volunteers, she said.

"I don't know if they understand this is where Ted Williams played, but they're excited," Keeling said.

At practice, they'll sometimes hit the ball and run to third base, or sit down in the middle of the field, said Chris Wagner, of Burrillville, the father of 9-year-old C.J. But they love being there.

"Every day for the past month he's been asking me, 'are we going to the park?' " Wagner said.

They crowded together in the net-covered underground batting area, arms around their buddies or sitting in their laps. They listened to a big-hearted Jackson, who appeared just as happy as they were to be there.

"I get chills every time I get to work with you guys," he said.

He easily picked up one from a wheelchair, scooped others into his lap, and gave lots of high-fives.

Jackson told them he grew up in a family of 14 in Birmingham, Ala., playing Little League Baseball to escape laying bricks. He played Major League Baseball for 10 years, beginning with the Angels in 1975, until he became a coach. It's his third year with the Sox.

The batting tips intertwined with life lessons. Jackson told them he always says, "The road to success is always under construction."

He talked about the importance of preparation, accepting the good and the bad, and constantly making adjustments, because every pitch is not the same.

The batting tee helps slow everything down, Jackson said. He stood slightly behind the tee, telling them to get behind the baseball.

Start from the bottom and work yourself up, like a house, he said, demonstrating how to place feet, knees, hips, shoulders -- and hold your head up. And, as everyone has heard: keep your eye on the ball.

As the youngsters in specially made Little League Fenway Park 2005 T-shirts took their turn at bat, Jackson got behind some to make sure they got their coveted hit.

Marty Shepard, 45, of Glocester, hammed it up, wiggling his hips. Shepard is a lot older than his teammates but had just as much fun.

"Shake it now!" Jackson said, as Shepard gave him a thumbs up.

Five-year-old Katie DeCotis, of Glocester, in pastel striped pants and long blond hair in pigtails, took a swing, then ran immediately to her mother. She came back to climb into Papa Jack's big lap for a photo.

Bryan Baron, 10, of Smithfield, was visibly nervous before his at-bat, but had a smile on his face when it was over.

"It's a lot of work," he said, miming his swing.

Baron's buddy, 17-year-old Bre Coyne, said she started the program a year ago and didn't know what to expect, but has found a friend who can't leave her side for long.

She and Jessie Duquette, also 17, agreed: "it just puts a smile on your face."

The wind blew and the sky threatened rain, but it held off as Jackson walked with them on the field around the warning track. He posed for a photo in front of the Green Monster, where he promptly received a kiss on the cheek from Phillips.

"This is what it's all about," he said.

The group went on a tour of the rest of the park later in the day, watched the players' batting practice, and attended the 7 p.m. game against the Devil Rays.

The Glocester Little League Challengers are part of an outreach program for special-needs youngsters that also includes soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter.