ROCKFORD, Mich. -- The Wounded Warriors are in town and getting ready for a special sporting event.
The veterans will take on police and fire personnel from across Kent County on the baseball diamond Wednesday. But first, they're using their differences to inspire others who are still learning to make their most of theirs.
“These kids pour their heart out into this game, and it just makes you feel good to be a part of it,” West Michigan Miracle League coach Rick Ayotte said.
For the first time ever in West Michigan an unlikely combination of athletes is hitting the field for what guarantees to be an inspiring event.
Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. the Wounded Warriors are playing an exhibition baseball game with athletes from the West Michigan Miracle League while fire and police officers cheer them on.
“We think there’s obvious ties between having the disability as an adult and getting past it and allowing us to share that with the kids and let them know they’re not alone,” Taylor Urruella of the VETSports Wounded Warrior team said.
Then it’s time for law enforcement and firefighters from Kent County to take on the Wounded Warriors.
“They’ve gone through some traumatic injuries protecting us, so we can do this here and play a softball game,” Sgt. Matt Janiskee of the Grand Rapids Police Department said. “So we get to honor them in playing softball, they didn`t give up and these are some horrific injuries and they fought through them.”
It all takes place at the Art Van Sports Complex, 3300 10 Mile Road in Rockford.. Tickets are a $5 donation, the inspiration comes at no charge.
