You may have seen Dick and Rick Hoyt on television. Theirs is a moving story of a father and son. Rick, the son, has cerebral palsy and is a spastic quadriplegic and while he does not speak, he communicated his wish to run. Thus, Team Hoyt was born. Dick and Rick complete in marathons, triathlons and biathlons with Dick pushing his 46-year-old son in a wheelchair, towing him in a boat or carrying him on a bike. Their first race was in 1977 and together they have done more than 958 events.

If their story peaks your interest, and unleashes a wish-I-could-do-that attitude, then read on.

Athletes Serving Athletes, a grassroots organization founded in 2007, enables physically, socially and otherwise challenged athletes an opportunity to experience competitive sports. Based in Cockeysville, ASA affords special needs athletes, currently from ages 5-21, the opportunity to experience competition through a series of races and challenges.

For example, some of these athletes "compete" in triathlon under the supervision and control of volunteers who pull a raft with the athlete on board, direct the athlete on a custom bike and then finish the run portion with the assistance of volunteers.

Some of these athletes have the opportunity of competing in races in front of large crowds for the first time in their lives.

ASA presently serves 20 athletes and has but a dozen volunteers. David Stomkowski, the founder of ASA, expects his organization to grow in the next few years.

"I believe it provides a great service to those who otherwise would never get the chance to compete in races. The athletes actually can experience the thrill of competition and we feel that is good for them," Stomkowski said.

I applaud Stomkowski's work and that of his five-man board of directors. We haven't seen much of this group in Howard County yet, but if that organization, or any other group for that matter, provides an opportunity for those who otherwise would have none, I am for it, regardless of its location.

Pros should compete against pros

Several weeks ago, I wrote how disappointed I was that a professional runner won the Women's Distance Festival here. I received some responses that said that I was wrong and that all runners should be allowed to run. I still say that is a bunch of hooey.

Well, we are apparently not alone. A 10k race last week in Maine was won by a professional runner. I have nothing against professional runners as long as they race in their own division with other professional runners. If there is just one professional runner, there should be no dollar prize.

Hammond grad climbs the umpiring ladder

We have received word that Joey Amaral, a 2001 Hammond High School graduate, is working his way through the ranks of Minor League Baseball as an umpire. Amaral began umpiring as a 12-year-old and came up through the Tri-County Umpire Association. He started the year in the short-season New York-Penn League, which he was promoted to last July, but earlier this summer was moved up to the Midwest League, a full season low class A league. If he keeps progressing at this pace, Amaral will be calling high class A games next season. Before we know it, he could be calling balls and strikes on national TV.

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