Despite cancellation of event, local athletes still enjoy special olympics
By: Kyle Moylan
While most people may have been upset to have their event canceled at the Special Olympics Summer Games this past weekend, Robbinsville’s Robert Allen took the opportunity to make even better plans.
Wet field conditions forced the cancellation of all the softball games. So at a time when the Mercer Unified softball team should have been worrying about hitting the ball or the cutoff man with a throw, the members were discussing what other Special Olympic events were still available to them.
There was an Olympic Village set up where athletes could meet or play games. Free dental and eye exams were available at Wellness Park. And, of course, there was a dance Saturday night.
"Are you going to dance with me Bob? asked Janice Eichlin, a very pretty blonde from Bordentown who is also a member of the Unified team.
"Yes," Allen smiled. "Yes."
While a dance with a pretty girl may have been better, it would have still been nice if the softball games had been held, especially the Unified ones.
"The Unified softball team is made up of five Special Olympians and five other players who are kind of partnered with them," noted Jennifer Kent, another member of the Mercer squad. "They created this because there were a lot of players that could play ball. It’s a highly functioning team. These guys are good. It’s a shame we didn’t play because I think we would have done well."
Mercer Unified is one of two teams Eichlin and Kent are playing on this season. Both also play in the Hamilton Women’s League. In fact, that’s where the two met and decided to get involved with the Special Olympics.
"Well, I was the best shortstop in the league so she (Eichlin) naturally looked up to me," Kent smiled.
As much of a draw as getting to play with Kent is, Eichlin was also drawn into Special Olympics because her aunt (Patricia Egan) has long been an active participant. In the past, Eichlin has come to see her compete. Now, Eichlin looks forward to getting on the field with the Unified team every chance she gets.
"I love this," Eichlin said. "It’s so much fun. These guys know what to do. These guys are great."
And they can also teach major league players like Paul O’Neill a thing or two about sportsmanship.
"I wanted to play, but it rained so much," noted East Windsor’s Keith Soehngen, a third baseman on the Unified team. "There was nothing anyone could do."
Not only didn’t the Unified team allow the rain to stop their fun, they paraded right through it. While the heavy rain forced the concert and fireworks to be canceled, the parade of athletes was still held.
"Since we are from Mercer – the host team – were the last ones in," noted Kent. "We were drenched, but everyone seemed to be having a good time."
"These guys are fun. We were singing all these rain songs this morning (Saturday). ‘Rain, rain go away . . . come back another day.’"
According to Special Olympics President Marc Edenzon, the Mercer Unified team may indeed come back another day. To make up for the fact that softball was the lone event canceled in the Summer Games, Edenzon was hoping a tournament could be held.
This would allow Soehngen a chance to show off his skill at third base and the plate. This would allow Allen to show what a good outfielder and pitcher he is. This would also give Florence’s Jeff Southwick a chance to get on the softball field in the other division.
"People with mental retardation have plenty of reminders of the things they cannot do," noted Hightstown High graduate Lillian Narvaez, who works as the Director of Training and Competition for New Jersey Special Olympics. "At Special Olympics, we’re saying ‘yes we can’ and as a community ‘yes we can.’"
The Unified team was a clear reminder that there often is good in a situation if one looks for it. While it’s true the members of the Unified team may not have been able to play softball this past weekend, they could dance. . . . They could dance.