EC Options Student to Throw First Pitch at Mariners Saturday Game

Last year's baseball Metro Champs and Class 3A runners up Eastside Catholic is off to another great start, with 7 wins and only 1 loss under their belts.

But while the Crusaders have caught the eye of many for their play on the field, it's what they do off the field that makes these boys true champs. 

Eastside Catholic baseball team captains Blake Gillespie, Hayden Meier and Jeff Kepple were offered the honor of nominating someone to throw the honorary first pitch out at the Safeco Field on April 13th, prior to the Mariners taking the field against the Rangers. They selected Jane Dickison, a 20-year-old student with intellectual disabiliites in the EC's Options Program.

The Crusader Varsity team was given the honor after it was chosen to play in the Mariners High School Baseball Classic and fundraiser, scheduled at Safeco on April 20 at 4 p.m.

For the past 4 years, the Crusader baseball team has been involved in volunteering with the Special Olympics, and this year, selecting Dickison for the honor was a way of taking their love for these kids "to a whole new level".

All four Captains have either been Options Peer tutors or have worked closely with the Special Olympics and these kids are near and dear to their hearts.

"This is what EC is all about," Alex Foley said. "We love, cheer and support one another equally, and we are so glad Jane will be representing us at Safeco."