The 2015 annual Buddy Walk took place on October 3 from 1 to 5 pm. Roughly 1000 people were involved, including the Northview Baseball coach Greg Szparka and both JV and Varsity Baseball teams.

“The Buddy Walk was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome,” according to ndss.org. This particular walk, however, supports the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo and took place at Woodland Park in Perrysburg. It has been going on for 14 years and according to Coach Szparka, this is the third year that NV Baseball has participated.

“We talked to the kids, danced and played with them,” Varsity third baseman Shane Banachowski said. “It was a really eye-opening experience and it was a very happy environment to be a part of. I really enjoyed being able to interact with the kids, they were all very cheerful.”

“The Buddy Walk is a great learning opportunity for our student athletes,” Coach Szparka said. “It’s not only a fun day but they also get to interact and learn from some amazing and truly inspiring children.”

There were about 30 different teams with a wide variety of supporters, including both friends and families. NV Baseball supported Team Lindsey, Coach Szparka’s niece.

“We have done The Buddy Walk for the past 7 years and it’s a great day for Lindsey and my family,” Tim Szparka, Lindsey’s father, said. “The kids have so much fun and we are honored to have the support from the baseball program.”

“Due to our 32 players that participated, Team Lindsey had 66 total team members, the largest team at the Buddy Walk,” Coach Szparka said. “She won a $150 giftcard to spend on whatever she wants.”

This was Varsity pitcher Austin Layman’s third year being involved in this walk.

“It was a lot of fun,” Layman said. “It was nice to help out the kids and I think they enjoyed it too.”

Jessie Li, Staff Writer