|
|
||
Little league team moves forward in face of tragedy Date published: 6/13/2009
BY ELLEN BILTZ
Sun peeked through the clouds, fighting off a looming thunderstorm. The Little League baseball players took the field proudly, ready to win last night. It was just like any other game. Except it wasn't. For the 10 members of the Yankees, it was their first game back as a team since the death of Chelal Beninu Gross-Matos, their 12-year-old teammate who was killed last week after being struck by lightning. But for most of the players, parents and the coach--Chelal's dad Robert Matos--the game wasn't about grief. It was about remembrance and taking a step forward. "I've never coached a game without my oldest son. It's weird putting someone else in his position," Robert Matos said solemnly. "But I can't quit." To Matos, the game was bittersweet. "The support has been outstanding," he said. "But I feel sick and it's hard to believe it, even now." Chelal was killed June 3, when a bolt of lightning struck him, killing him and severely injuring an 11-year-old teammate during a lightning break in the middle of a game. Little League games were put on hold for more than a week, and the Yankees played their first game back last night. Chelal's little brother, 11-year-old Yetur Gross-Matos, wore the number 5 last night, his brother's jersey. And Yetur hit the first ball of the night for his team, something his brother used to do. The Yankees players wore patches with Chelal's number and the initials "C.M." Melody Seay, whose 12-year-old son Thomas plays for the Yankees, said her son has been having a rough time, but being with his teammates has helped. "It's devastating, absolutely devastating," she said. "But the boys have really pulled together." Chelal's mother, Sakinah Matos, blended in with the other parents last night, holding her 3-year-old daughter and smiling when it was Yetur's turn at bat. But, she said, "I want to crawl up in a hole, but I know I can't do that." Sakinah Matos said she's being strong for her family, especially for her kids. "I survive because of my children," she said. "I believe that's what keeps me going." She said the best way to make it through life in the face of tragedy is talking as a family and making sure you're there for one another every step of the way. "We still have four other children. This baseball game means trying to move forward, showing our children that we still support them," she said. Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 6/13/2009
thanks for letting us know. i wish this article would have
included that, too.
is still in critical condition in the hospital in Richmond. No change (for good or bad) in his condition.
does anyone know how the other little boy is doing? my kids
have asked about him several times.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
