OLIVESBURG — Scott Durbin and Don Keener, the softball and baseball coaches at Crestview, respectively, hadn’t heard of Unstoppable Youth Sports before Angela Jameson reached out to them.
Angela and her husband, Jim Jameson, have a child on the autism spectrum. They became involved with Unstoppable Youth Sports, to give him a chance to participate in athletics.
The organization, started in Richland County in 2018, offers a chance for children with special needs to play sports.
But, the organization was mostly based in Bellville, which required an hour-long drive.
So this year, the Jamesons decided to start an Unstoppables baseball team in Savannah. The team has its first game slated for Friday.
Ahead of the game, Durbin and Keener’s Crestview teams hosted a clinic where their players worked with the Unstoppables squad.
They showed them the basics of the game, like how to hit a ball from a tee, how to run the bases and how to field the balls.
“When we walk away at the end of this, our kids will learn as much as they do,” Durbin, Crestview’s softball coach, said.
Athletics for all
Kristi Baker, the director of student services for the Crestview district, also helped organize the event.
On Wednesday night, Durbin and Keener said they thought things were going well, and that their athletes were enjoying their time with the Unstoppables team.
Keener said he enjoyed watching his shy baseball players come out of their shells as they worked with Unstoppables athletes. Durbin added he hoped the clinic would help his players understand that they’re leaders, and people look up to them.
For Baker and Angela Jameson, the Unstoppables’ parents having an opportunity to rest and enjoy watching their children play was significant.
Angela said that at practices, parents often help as their children run bases or hit the ball. Having the extra support and a chance to just watch marked a relaxing change.
Baker also said the event offered Crestview’s athletes a chance to look outside of themselves.
“These students need to realize they have a gift to be able to play softball and baseball every day,” Baker said, adding she hopes the Unstoppables can start other sports teams in Ashland County in the future.
At the end of the evening, the teams came together to celebrate with a photo and a cheer.
“That’s my favorite part,” Angela Jameson said.
