West Chester University Baseball Team Serves Bat Boy for MLK Day

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Tim Hoge of Unionville with two WCU baseball players.
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The WCU Baseball Team with Handi-Crafters.

It was the star baseball players’ turn to serve their bat boy on Monday. As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a roster of 37 West Chester University Rams players set their gloves aside and put their hands to work alongside bat boy Tim Hoge, a Unionville native with Down syndrome who works at the Handi-Crafters Skill-Based Learning Center in Thorndale.

They helped work on packaging, assembly and kitting with the nonprofit’s supported employment program. It was a “winning day” for all, Executive Director Amy Rice said.

The act of service was also an extension of the players’ welcoming attitude and appreciation of Hoge’s inspiring dedication to the team; he has been bat boy since 2011.

“[Tim] brings a great energy to the team through his endless support and encouragement, and that goes for the entire Hoge family,” Head Coach Jad Prachniak said.

Hoge is one of about 400 individuals who has received access to rewarding employment opportunities thanks to Handi-Crafters’ employment and disability-focused support service programs as well as the business partners that choose socially responsible outsourcing to meet their production, assembly and packaging needs.

Check out previous VISTA Today coverage of Handi-Crafters news here.

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