Smiles like diamonds: ETSNS holds opening day

Smiles like diamonds: East Texas Special Needs Softball League holds opening day

By Gary Stallard
Lufkin Daily News
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Saturday’s game between the Astros and the Rangers ended in a 10,000-10,000 tie.

Those weren’t runs scored — they were smiles counted.

A group of very unique young people hit the diamond at Kit McConnico Park in Lufkin for a softball game that was anything but typical. From a distance, it looked like any other game, with the blue Rangers and red Astros uniforms, and the regulation field complete with bases and home plate.

But these Rangers didn’t carry the high-profile names of their professional namesakes; there was Josh, but it wasn’t Hamilton. No Ian Kinsler, but there were Aubrie, Hanna, William, JaQuincy and others. Instead of Berkman and Oswalt, these Astros had Skylar, Jared, Carrissa, Bianca and more (…more…)

Lufkin’s first Special Needs Softball League steps up to bat

Lufkin’s first Special Needs Softball League steps up to bat

By Holley Nees
KTRE Channel 9
Saturday, May 23, 2009

LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) - Hannah can’t talk, but play after play, her face said it all.

“Hannah doesn’t really get to do a lot of things that other kids get to do,” said Hannah’s mom Rebecca Sneigoski.

Now, she belongs to a team that gets her, no matter how messy life gets.

“Cool,” said softball player Jared Ray enthusiastically.

Jared and Hannah play on different teams, but they both step up to bat with special needs. (…more…)

Winston Park being renovated to be home of ETSNSL

Winston Park being revamped to host special needs softball league
By JESSICA COOLEY
The Lufkin Daily News

Sunday, March 29, 2009

After years of cheering on brothers and sisters from the stands, special needs children in East Texas are getting their very own field of dreams.

The idea began when Deanna Ramsey of Lufkin saw signs posted for city league T-ball sign up and wondered what activities may be available for her six-year-old son Brayden, who at 21 months caught a virus that caused brain damage.

“I wanted the opportunity for him to be part of something bigger than himself and the chance to play sports with other kids,” Ramsey said. “There are many special needs children in the area that would love the opportunity to play.” (…more…)