Rebels March for a good cause

On this perfect Saturday morning, Riverside hosted it's 61st Annual March of Dimes walk for Babies. A scenic 6 mile walk through downtown Riverside passing Mount Rubidoux, the old land-mark homes surrounding it, along side the lake at Fairmont Park then up Main Street and back to our starting point at Riverside Community College.

Our team was ready to go at 7 am this morning...not sure they knew just how long 6 miles actually is...but with their teammates and all the energy in the world, our Rebels were ready to face this challenge...one step or leap at a time...

Before we left, we took a photo of the Rebels. With our Guest of Honor, Alexis!
It was more than just a walk for us...having Coach Jason (holding the Princess) and Team Mom Sylvia's grandchild Alexis born 3 months early has opened our eyes to the importance of having our babies born healthy and strong. Born at 1.9 lbs, Alexis is now 7 months old and is 12 lbs....just a sassy and sweet little angel. She came to invite the team one Sunday afternoon at practice to walk for a special cause...to raise money to help all babies be born healthy. Our Rebels accepted the challenge and embraced Alexis as their Team Ambassador...

So off we went into our great city...

Also tried to give a little history lesson along the way...I think they were more interested in climbing the statue of DeAnza...


So how does all this tie together; March of Dimes and Riverside Rebels? In tryin to keep up with our team motto "Athletes of Character", we thought it would be good to give back to our community. We feel at the Riverside Baseball Club that there is more to it than just the fundamentals of baseball. It's teaching them the life skills that will mold their character into great contributors in our community and make a difference in the lives of others.

So it was an easy fit when we decided to have the boys walk and raise almost $900 as a team for the March of Dimes. What exactly did it cost us? Nothing but time and energy...and boy did they have energy the ENTIRE 6 miles. They were troopers and didn't complain once having to walk that long.

Even received some compliments along the way on our shirts...the back reads "Athletes of Character"...."A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" ~ Jackie Robinson.

With some of our parents joining in on the fun, we finished our walk in an hour and 45 minutes (give or take).



As we near the finish line, the team realizes that they've completed their goal!!! They are excited and somehow still full of energy!!!


Enough energy to run across the finish line to have their names announced over the loud speaker!!! That was pretty cool to hear Riverside Rebels Baseball Club announced for all to hear!


Congrats Rebels on a job well done...a little dog pile on Nolan and Gavin (the birthday boy) seemed overdue on that long walk...

So after their complimentary hot dog lunch and free give-a-ways, the boys take one last moment to see Alexis and take a team photo with her.
Until next time when we get this great group of players together to do good in our local community...

...next stop....Cal Ripken clinic tomorrow and coming soon...climbing Mt. Rubidoux for an outing with the dads!!!