TERRE HAUTE —
Opening night of baseball in Riley had all the traditional sights and sounds of another exciting season. But it also included a chance for people to remember some players who died while still very young and who loved playing at the baseball complex.
The Riley Recreation League opened the 2012 baseball season by dedicating a long, brick memorial pathway leading from the gravel parking lot to a flag poll about 100 yards away. The path includes dozens of bricks inscribed with memorial messages to young players who passed away in recent years.
“People come to the ballpark to see their kids or their grandkids play,” said Wil Worthington, whose son Noah was among those remembered Monday evening. “For years that’s what we’ve done. To come to the park now, we can come see our friends’ kids play, and we can see this path that reminds us of everything that is Noah.”
Noah Worthington, 11, and his best friend, Cale Roberts, 11, were killed in an auto accident one year ago. Wil Worthington headed up the memorial path project, which took about four months to complete. Noah and Cale both played baseball at Volunteer Field in Riley.
Also memorialized are Isaac Foust, who died in 2009 at age 5, and Ashley LaLoux, who died in 2008 at age 15.
Ashley “loved playing sports,” said her mother, Lisel LaLoux, who attended the dedication with her family. “She loved being out here.” Ashley, who also played softball for Terre Haute South Vigo, started playing at the Riley baseball complex when she was very young. It was like home for her, said her friend, Autumn Long, who also attended Monday evening.
“This is the best place ever to play ball,” said Ashley’s father, Joe. “It’s all about the kids.”
In addition to officially opening the new brick pathway, the Riley Recreation League also dedicated signs hanging near the pathway that honor each player with an image of their team jerseys. Noah Worthington’s number, zero, was officially retired by the league.
“My favorite number is seven and I tried to get him to be number seven,” Wil Worthington remembered. “His sister [Abby] wanted him to be number zero. And he said, ‘I think that number is cool, because it’s infinity, it never ends.’” So Noah decided he wanted to be zero, and he wouldn’t change it, his father said.
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett cut a ribbon held by two uniformed youth baseball players to officially open the memorial walkway. Kenny Payne, president of the Riley Recreation League, said the project has been a big success.
“We’ve had a lot of generous people donate time and energy,” Payne said, adding that he hopes to add another pathway to a second flag poll at the large baseball complex. “We want to continue it on.”
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Family friendly: Hundreds attended the opening day ceremonies at the Riley Volunteer Field Monday afternoon. A Memorial Walkway was dedicated during the event.
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Honor jersey: Joe and Lisel LaLoux stand next to the artwork showing their daughter's jersey on opening night at the Riley Volunteer Park.
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Memorial walk: Hundreds attended the opening day ceremonies at the Riley Volunteer Park Monday.
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Dad: Wil Worthing talks with Arthur Foulkes about the Memorial Walkway during Monday's opening day at the Riley Volunteer Park.
Discussion
In their SHADOWS
Ballpark path invites others to follow young players’ steps
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