Voices from the Clubhouse: Stories from Our Families
- Case the Buffalo
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
At first glance, people often see baseball. They see the field, the uniforms, the smiles, and the excitement of game day. But ask anyone who has spent time at Casey's Clubhouse what makes this place truly special, and you'll quickly realize it has very little to do with baseball itself. It's the people. It's the athletes who inspire us with their determination, the volunteers who become lifelong friends, the families who cheer for every small victory, and the community that shows up for one another every single day. Every person who walks through our gates becomes part of something bigger than themselves. As you consider joining the Casey's Clubhouse family, we wanted to share a few stories from some of our moms, dads, and athletes themselves. We hope their experiences offer a glimpse into what makes this community so special and inspire the next generation of athletes and families to become part of it.
Field of Joy
Long before Dave Richert and his family ever walked onto the fields at Casey's Clubhouse, they were trying to create a place where their son, who has autism, could simply belong.
In 2012, Dave, his wife Jackie, and his brother launched a small baseball program after realizing traditional youth baseball wasn't the right fit. What started with about ten athletes quickly grew to nearly eighty. They loved every minute of it, but balancing the league with full-time jobs became increasingly difficult.
Then they heard about a new organization that Sean Casey was bringing to the Pittsburgh area.
"It felt like a gift," Dave recalls.
His son joined the Advanced Skills Division, and before long, Dave and his family found themselves back where they belonged, this time as volunteer coaches. Fourteen years later, they're still leading the Red Sox.
For Dave, baseball has never been the most important part.
"The friendships we've built with our athletes and their families are what matter most," he says. "Practices are about so much more than baseball. They're about encouragement, laughter, and helping each athlete discover what they're capable of."
One of his favorite moments comes when a player makes a defensive play no one expects.
"You can see it on their face. They realize they can do something they never thought possible. That confidence doesn't stay on the field. It follows them into everyday life."
Over the years, Casey's Clubhouse has become much more than a baseball league for the Richert family. They've watched athletes grow through camps, Halloween celebrations, year-end banquets, workforce development opportunities, and unforgettable travel experiences.
Together, they even stood on the legendary Field of Dreams. They've watched a game at the iconic Wrigley Field and created memories alongside families who understand the unique journey of raising a child with a disability.
When Dave reflects on that journey, he often thinks about the poem Welcome to Holland, a story many parents in the disability community know well. It compares raising a child with a disability to planning a dream trip to Italy, only to land in Holland instead.
It's different than expected, but filled with beauty all its own.
"Casey's Clubhouse is that beauty," Dave says. "It's a place where we've found joy, belonging, and hope."
Looking back, Dave sometimes wonders if he would have found this path had his son not led him there.
"I hope the answer would still be yes," he says. "Because being part of Casey's Clubhouse has been one of the greatest blessings of my life."
His advice for anyone thinking about joining is simple.
"Jump in. It won't just change your athlete's life. It'll change yours, too."
Written from the experiences of Coach Dave Richert, proud Red Sox coach and Casey's Clubhouse volunteer since 2012.
Aiden's First Paycheck
The baseball season had come to an end, and while Aiden was sad to see his time with the Angels and the Next Inning program wrap up, there was one thing he had been looking forward to all week, payday.
With just minutes left in his shift, Aiden finished his closing tasks, removed his magnetic name tag from the wall, and signed out for the final time that season. As he walked toward the program director, an envelope was waiting for him. The moment it touched his hands, he couldn't wait another second. He ripped it open.
His face said everything. Pride. Excitement. Accomplishment. Joy.
For the first time at the Next Inning, Aiden had earned a paycheck.
After months of learning new skills, serving customers, and growing in confidence, his hard work had paid off.
"So," the director asked with a smile, "what are you going to spend your money on?"
Aiden didn't hesitate.
"I'm putting every dollar into my bank account. I'm saving it for college one day."
That first paycheck wasn't just money. It was independence, confidence, and a glimpse into everything his future could become.
"You're Not a Lefty!"
Even three-time MLB All-Star Sean Casey knows you don't hit a home run every time you step to the plate. In fact, despite hitting 130 home runs during his Major League career, including the first home run in PNC Park history, he never hit one during his final season with the Boston Red Sox.
Brendan knew that feeling.
Entering his tenth season at Casey's Clubhouse, he had built a reputation as a reliable hitter. Singles. Doubles. Plenty of base hits. But never a home run.
Determined to change that, Brendan spent the offseason working with a local hitting instructor. His swing looked stronger. The ball was carrying farther. Everyone believed this might finally be the year.
Game after game passed.
Single.
Single.
Single.
No home run.
Then, on a cool fall evening, Brendan stepped to the plate with the bases loaded.
Without saying a word to anyone, he quietly settled into the batter's box.
Only one problem.
He was standing on the left side of the plate.
His coach hadn't noticed yet, but his mom certainly had.
"Stop! You're not a lefty!" she yelled from the stands.
Brendan never moved.
The first pitch came in.
CRACK!
The ball exploded off the bat and disappeared into the night sky.
Brendan rounded first like it was any other hit, but this time he kept going.
Grand slam.
The crowd erupted. His teammates were jumping. Coaches stared in disbelief. Brendan had just hit the first home run of his life.
A few innings later, the bases were loaded again.
Brendan quietly walked to the plate.
This time, everyone watched.
Sure enough, he stepped into the left-handed batter's box again.
The voices from the stands tried to redirect him.
He ignored every one of them.
First pitch.
CRACK!
Another towering drive.
Another grand slam.
After ten seasons without a single home run as a right-handed hitter, Brendan left the field that night with two career grand slams...both as a left-handed batter.
Sorry, Mom. He's a lefty now.
Alaysha's First At Bat
Trying something new can be intimidating for anyone. For Alaysha, stepping into the batter's box for the very first time was filled with nerves. Then the pitch came.
CRACK!
A line drive shot down the left field line, the kind that would have made Willie "Pops" Stargell proud. As Alaysha rounded the bases after her first home run, every ounce of nervousness disappeared. She crossed home plate with the biggest smile imaginable before wrapping her coach in a celebratory hug.
That one swing changed everything.
The quiet uncertainty she brought on opening day became confidence.
By the end of the season, her personality, laughter, and energy could be felt throughout the entire complex.
Sometimes all it takes is one at bat to realize you belong.
Ryan Got a Job at Chick-fil-A
Success isn't always measured by the scoreboard. Sometimes it's measured by the first day on the job. Ryan joined the Next Inning job training program to build workplace skills, confidence, and independence. When he was hired by Chick-fil-A, it was a milestone worth celebrating.
But what happened next meant even more.
Ryan's transition program had told his family he would likely need a job coach for the rest of his working life. After just six shifts at Chick-fil-A, his job coach was already fading into the background because Ryan no longer needed the same level of support.
His mom shared this message with our team:
"Ryan is now proudly working at Chick-fil-A. He loves it! After only six shifts at his new job, his job coach is fading, a huge yay! We had been told by his transition program that he would need a forever job coach. I truly believe his confidence and skills were made ready by the Next Inning program where competence is presumed and respect is given. From one mom to your entire team, thank you for seeing our kids as people with so much to offer. What you do makes a difference."
It's reminders like these that keep us moving forward. Every athlete deserves the opportunity to be seen for their potential, not their limitations.
disability inclusion
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