Coral Gables, TERRA Suit Up For Fundraiser Event

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An incredible cast of characters took the field together on Thursday afternoon for a charity baseball game for a worthy cause. With each costumed member from both TERRA and Coral Gables’ baseball programs competing at Woodward Field in Coral Gables, those in attendance were treated to a delightful spectacle the likes of which had never been seen on that field before.

TERRA Manager Ernie Padron reached out to Cavaliers Manager Phil Wisser with the idea earlier this week, and the end result was an enjoyable experience with a positive and charitable outcome. Combining Halloween and Breast Cancer Awareness Month into the same event, the two teams played a brand of baseball unlike any before it. Together they also raised roughly $500 to donate towards the fight against Breast Cancer.

“I’ve heard of teams doing this costume game before so I thought let’s do it for a cause,” Padron said. “I think the kids enjoyed the game even more than we did as coaches. It’s a good cause.”

Although everything was put together very quickly in short time, it was an event that succeeded in every way. Fans were entertained, players had an absolute blast and a worthy charity will now receive a nice donation as a result.

“It’s a great time and the kids really enjoy it,” Wisser said. “That’s what it’s about. We work so hard busting our tails everyday and it’s nice to just come out and enjoy a good time and laugh with both teams. It’s for a great cause and we just enjoyed it.”

Each inning featured a different concept, such as having guys hit from their opposite position at the plate, running the diamond in reserve and even a frame where fans came onto the field and took some swings. Heroes faced villains in an epic contest that ultimately concluded in a 9-9 tie. But more importantly then the final results or the play-by-play was the enjoyment of watching costumed players try to play baseball.

Playing baseball can be challenging enough for guys in stirrups and cleats, but when you are a high school teacher in full dress clothes it presents an even larger challenge. Playing for the Villains, The Teacher had to admit it was a tough decision whether to chase after a fly ball hit his way and risk having all the pens in his front breast pocket go flying out in the process.

“I don’t want to lose any of my pens you know, because that is what I use to give F’s,” The Teacher explained.

For Batman, he knew at any moment the Bat Signal could flash in the sky and he would have to abandon the game in order to go fight crime.

“They call me Catwoman, but I’m really Batman and I fight crime!” Batman said. “It’s a very tough society and I think we need to cut down on violence in society today.”

Playing for the Heroes, the Samurai Warrior admitted it was a challenge swinging the bat and not trying to cut the baseball in half with one swift swing.

“It takes a lot of practice, but a lot of my ancestors taught me very well from the Middle Eastern scrolls,” the Samurai Warrior said. “So I learned from my elders. I mean, what haven’t I cut in half? Watermelon, human heads, buffalo; I cut everything in half. That’s just what I do.”

For others, the chance to play in this baseball game also meant an opportunity for freedom. Playing for the Villains, The Inmate admitted he was simply glad to be out of the confines of his prison cell and enjoying the nice day with the rest of the guys.

“Hopefully after the game I can sneak out and get away from the whole prison scene, maybe play a nice friendly game with the local civilians,” The Inmate said. “When the whole crowd gets going and is loud I am hoping to sneak out the back and get away.”

Since no one thought to come to the event dressed like a prison warden, rumor has it The Inmate was able to make a clean getaway. He now has several dozen well-dressed super heroes hot on his heels, however.

It was a perfect day for baseball and laughter filled the yard. With the fall baseball season now winding down and the grueling spring season rapidly approaching, both sides were very grateful to have the opportunity to come together and enjoy such a wonderful time with one another.

“We ask a lot from them during the course of the year,” Padron said. “They basically respond with a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication and a lot of time that they put into it. So to just let your hair down definitely it is a fun time to let loose and be kids. Some of them let their hair down a little too long.”

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