Rocky Mount, N.C. - The Battling Bishop Baseball team just completed a very busy fall working hard to make the 2013 spring campaign a success. While reaching for high academic marks, the team spent long hours on the field striving for their best followed by a strenuous off-season strength and conditioning program. As great as their work was in the classroom and on the field, their most important contribution to Bishop Baseball came in another form that left a lasting impression on all who saw them perform. That contribution was their commitment to others through the Bishops' Community Outreach Program.
Community Outreach has always been an important part of Battling Bishop Baseball. This summer and fall saw the team step their game up a notch by doing for others locally, regionally, and all over the world. The young men enjoyed showing their commitment to others through different outreach experiences.
Locally, the Battling Bishops hosted weekly clinics for Little League children. Players had an opportunity to interact with 5-13 year old kids and teach them fundamental skills. The free clinics averaged 30-40 children almost every week. Secondly, Battling Bishops with soccer experience volunteered to coach local teams in Red Oak. Eleven Battling Bishops coached five different teams ranging from 3 to 12. Even though the games were played on the weekends, the players gave up their Saturday mornings to help the young teams. In addition to coaching on Saturday morning, the Battling Bishops refereed soccer for Looking Up Sports at a local church. The players also helped Looking Up Sports with their basketball evaluations and equipment inventory after the soccer season was complete.
Bishop players continued their local work as they aided the local Optimist Club by unloading Christmas trees. They also showed their appreciation to local firefighters and police officers as they presented 9/11 passes to each group so that they could attend all NC Wesleyan College games. Additionally, Wesleyan players volunteered to paint a storage shed for St. Andrews preschool.
Regionally, the Battling Bishops traveled to Wilson County each Saturday to assist in Buddy Ball, an organization providing baseball for special needs children. Of all the activities the team participated in throughout the fall, Buddy Ball was their favorite. Favorable impressions were left on the kids as well as the Battling Bishop players as they all experienced how much fun the game can be. Bishop players also helped with a local golf tournament that raised funds for Duke's Children's Hospital, a large regional hospital that helps children with all kinds of needs.
The Bishops also helped regionally by participating in the Topp Gunn World Series as the field crew for Red Oak Park. Bishop players prepared the fields before 9-10-11 year old teams from North Carolina and Virginia played. Members of the team felt right at home keeping the fields in great shape for the kids.
Bishop Baseball also made an impression all over the world. During the summer, Jake Alexander, Lee Dunn, Will Beasley, James Johnson, Paden Dietrich, and Hayden Williams visited the Dominican Republic for the trip of a lifetime. During their experience the young men played baseball but also visited local orphanages and did other humanitarian work. The trip was set up through former Battling Bishop Coach Kyle Bradley and his Organization G.O. (Global Outreach).
The Bishops also reached the world as they participated in Operation Christmas Child. Not only did players pack shoeboxes with lots of much needed supplies but they helped in the loading process at a local church. The team bought gifts and had a great experience giving to boys and girls in all regions of the world.
Finally, Wesleyan players also volunteered their service at home. Many players helped coach teams, prepare fields, clean up schools, work clinics, and participate in church and community fundraising projects. Their commitment at home was as important as their time set aside for Battling Bishop projects.
North Carolina Wesleyan Baseball has had a rich history filled with team and individual accomplishments on the field of play. More importantly, Battling Bishop Baseball has a rich history of giving back to others. Players, parents, alumni, and friends should be extremely proud of both traditions!