Poway Padres join Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and girls softball team for Heroes game
by Pomerado News
The 11th annual Poway Heroes Softball Game returned Nov. 7 with new additions to the lineup.
The deputies at the Poway Sheriff’s Station joined the game for the first time.
The theme this year was “Bringing the community together,’” said event organizer Tony Rubino.
Rubino is president of the North County Special Needs Foundation and coaches the Poway Padres, a Special Olympics softball team. The Poway Padres won gold medals at a recent tournament in Perris and silver medals during the recent Special Olympics Regional Tournament in Rancho Bernardo.
Tony Rubino, president of the North County Special Needs Foundation and coach of the Poway Padres, a Special Olympics softball team, organizes the Heroes game each year. In this opening ceremony, he acknowledged the Poway Padres, Poway firefighters (red shirts), Poway sheriff’s deputies (green shirts), and the San Diego Team 18U Vargas (light blue shirts). Team Vargas is a local girls travel softball team with members who attend Poway High. Rubino also honored the memory of Sue Herndon, who co-founded the Heroes game with Rubino. (Criselda Yee)
Miss Junior Teen Poway Addison Schuster sang the National Anthem. She was flanked by Poway Scout Troup 617 (sponsored by the VFW), and Poway Cub Scout Pack 109. John Kriz and Aaron Hindi served as the U.S. flag bearers for the Poway Padres. Kriz was the first shortstop for the softball team in 1998. (Criselda Yee)
One of two sections of families, friends, and fans showed their support for all the players. (Criselda Yee)
From left, Doug Vick, longtime local umpire; Melony Garcia, catcher, and Poway Padres player Jason Polson. (Criselda Yee)
Poway Padres player Kyle Raney touches first base at the same time as a Team Vargas player catches the ball. (Criselda Yee)
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Tony Rubino, president of the North County Special Needs Foundation and coach of the Poway Padres, a Special Olympics softball team, organizes the Heroes game each year. In this opening ceremony, he acknowledged the Poway Padres, Poway firefighters (red shirts), Poway sheriff’s deputies (green shirts), and the San Diego Team 18U Vargas (light blue shirts). Team Vargas is a local girls travel softball team with members who attend Poway High. Rubino also honored the memory of Sue Herndon, who co-founded the Heroes game with Rubino. (Criselda Yee)
Sheriff’s Poway Station Capt. Claudia Delgado was designated runner for Poway Fire Chief Brian Mitchell (red shirt at home base). Mayor Steve Vaus served as first base umpire. (Criselda Yee)
Poway Padres player Frankie Nowlin was focused on the incoming ball. (Criselda Yee)
Gracie Gardner, a member of the San Diego Team 18U Vargas. (Criselda Yee)
Poway Padres player Frankie Nowlin raced to first base as Poway Fire Chief Brian Mitchell prepared to catch the ball. (Criselda Yee)
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Sheriff’s Poway Station Capt. Claudia Delgado was designated runner for Poway Fire Chief Brian Mitchell (red shirt at home base). Mayor Steve Vaus served as first base umpire. (Criselda Yee)
Joining the Poway Padres, Poway firefighters and sheriff’s deputies on the field at Poway Sportsplex USA was San Diego Team 18U Vargas, a local girls travel softball team with members who attend Poway High.
Umpiring the game was Doug Vick, as well as Poway Mayor Steve Vaus and members of the City Council.
The game is a fundraiser for the Poway Padres and San Diego Team 18U Vargas.
Kaylanii Caple with San Diego Team 18U Vargas. (Criselda Yee)
From left, Sheriff’s Poway Station Capt. Claudia Delgado, Poway Fire Chief Brian Mitchell, Tony Rubino, Brenda Solario (Director of Community Relations, Nighthawk Energy Storage), and Sohail Suryavanshi (Development and Construction Manager, Nighthawk Energy Storage). Suryavanshi threw the honorary first pitch of the game. (Criselda Yee)
Post-game group photo of the Poway Padres, San Diego Team 18U Vargas (light blue shirts), Poway firefighters (red shirts), and Poway Sheriff’s deputies (green shirts). Also included are Tony Rubino, Fire Chief Brian Mitchell, Sheriff’s Capt. Claudio Delgado, City Councilmembers Peter De Hoff, Jenny Maeda and Christopher Pikus, game announcer John Couvrette (CFO Poway Chamber of Commerce), and Umpire Doug Vick. (Criselda Yee)
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Kaylanii Caple with San Diego Team 18U Vargas. (Criselda Yee)
