COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland baseball team joined with League of Dreams to host a baseball clinic for children with special needs and autism who attend Children's Guild schools in Chillum, Md. and Washington D.C., in College Park on Monday.
"This is great for our players," Head Coach Rob Vaughn said. "Especially with the season coming up. The perspective it throws at you is huge. We've said for three years now that we're a character and leadership development program, so when you have opportunities to exhibit that, you put your money where your mouth is. For us, it was worth taking a day off of practice, taking a day off of work to come spend a couple hours with kids that probably don't get attention like this all the time and don't get an opportunity to do this. To have Frank and Adam [Kolarek] who were both players here – obviously Adam with the Dodgers now – has been huge, and to have a guy like Mike Bordick, who's an Orioles legend, in here as well is a neat opportunity. It's great to serve the community – which is what we're all about."
The event was organized by League of Dreams, which provides baseball experiences for children unable to compete in traditional leagues. In addition to Maryland head coach Rob Vaughn and the Terps' staff and players, League of Dreams president Frank Kolarek, former Terps and current Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Adam Kolarek, and Orioles Hall of Famer Mike Bordick attended the clinic.
"To be home, to be at my school with my son and the number of people that are here and a part of our team that have a direct connection to Maryland is super special," League of Dreams President Frank Kolarek said. "It's really personal. We take every event that we do, and provide the highest quality that we can for our children. To be in Cole Field House with the Maryland baseball team and children in the community, who may have never been able to see this place, it doesn't get much better. We're excited and thankful to be here."
After opening remarks by players and coaches, students participated in drills and a scrimmage led by Maryland's players.
-TERPS-
