County Special Olympians take on Jamestown police officers
County Special Olympians take on Jamestown police officers
Trending
GERRY – The Special Olympians of the Chautauqua Lakers softball team faced off against some of Jamestown's finest on Wednesday.
The final score of the softball outing was reported as either 13-13 or 13-12, depending on who was asked. The score wasn't necessarily important. The Chautauqua Lakers, champions of the 2025 state Special Olympics softball event, played members of the Jamestown Police Department in a rematch that has taken place over the past several years and is a much-anticipated highlight for many Special Olympians.
"This is our sixth year playing JPD," said Cassi Brigham, the Chautauqua Lakers’ lead coach. "Every year the team looks forward to playing against the police, and this year was no different. It's one of the team’s favorite games."
Some JPD officers who have made multiple trips to this diamond echoed Brigham.
"This is my fifth year playing ball against the Lakers," said Lt. Sam Piazza of the Jamestown Police Department. "We look forward to playing and supporting these athletes – it's a great event."
Chautauqua Lakers player Brendon Brightman delivered a strong performance, posting impressive statistics.
"I didn't get to catch a ball, but I did go three-for-four at-bats with three RBIs," he said.
Shouts from the Lakers' bench included "back up Eddy the Yetti – referring to officer Josh Eddy – while Piazza was referred to as Sam "Boom-Boom" Piazza.
When the officers learned of their respective nicknames, all they could do was laugh.
"Well. ...I don't know," said a laughing Piazza as he shrugged his shoulders.
According to www.specialolympics-ny.org, Special Olympics New York (SONY) features a softball program that serves thousands of athletes statewide. The program follows a seasonal structure, building up from local regional qualifiers to major national and state-level championships.
Across NYS, approximately 3,365 Special Olympians play softball; the season runs July through October, with State Fall Games in October; the Amateur Softball Association is the governing body for the sport.