PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Friday was a big night at Citizens Bank Park, not just because the Phillies took on division rivals the Marlins. One Phillies player had a big surprise for local baseball players who make memories of their own every Sunday night.
Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm found out about Delaware County's Newtown Edgmont Angels through his agent, who’s been involved with the senior challenger baseball team for years.
So when Strahm signed with the Phillies in 2023, it was only a matter of time before he got to know the Angels.
“They invited us out to a game Sunday night. We watched them and fell in love with them,” Strahm said.
It’s why Strahm invited the team to Citizens Bank Park before a game and partnered with local sports juggernaut Victus to give each player new belts and gloves with their nicknames stitched on the leather. The players also got a tour of the clubhouse and stadium.
“They’re the happiest people on Earth, so to make them happier is kind of crazy. But they’re gonna talk about it for weeks, and every time I show up to the field, they’re all going to show me their gloves, so it’s cool.”
The Challenger Division of Little League Baseball is an adapted form of the game catered to children and teenagers with physical and intellectual disabilities. The Senior Division, where the Angels play, has no age limit and is for players 15 and older.
Gary Brooks is one of the coaches for the Angels.
“It’s been a great experience for them to be able to see ‘A,’ the major league ballpark, and then ‘B,’ the ability to see where Major League Baseball is being played,” Brooks said.
“You’ve taken kids that I started pitching to years ago… They were struggling to hit off a tee, and we’ve gotten them to the point where it transitioned to underhand pitching, then overhand pitching. Now we’re using a real baseball, on a real baseball field, 90-foot field, with a wood bat, calling balls and strikes and allowing steals.”