Members of YU Athletics Host Yachad Friends

On Wednesday, March 27, 2008, the Yeshiva University Men's Baseball team, along with members of the Cross Country, Golf, Basketball and Fencing teams got together with Yachad for a night of games and pizza. Never have the members of the Yeshiva teams been so ready, willing, and wanting to lose a game.

The Yachad guys were split up and the Yeshiva athletes joined them in making up four teams. Chants of "Here we go, Eitan, here we go!" filled the room as one of the guys from Yachad got up to bat in the Teeball game. While Ariel, another guest from Yachad, fit right in as he hit hard line drives and talked smack with the best of them. A second game went on, called Line Soccer, a version of the famous Steal the Salami. Smiles and sweat were plentiful in the Yachad crowd as the Yeshiva players cheered them on. Throughout the two-hour event, Yeshiva players could be seen giving hands-on help to some of the Yachad guys. The help was not restricted to teammates. Yeshiva members from all four teams helped anyone in search of it, as the lines of competition were blurred for the sake of kindness. The generosity was contagious as some of the more knowledgeable Yachad members helped out their buddies by "accidentally" making a mistake with the ball once or twice.

Afterward, there was pizza and soda for everyone. New baseballs were pulled out of their wrappers and given to each Yachad member as a keepsake. Pens were distributed to any guest who wanted to have his baseball signed by one of the athletes. The athletes were in store for a treat as well, when some of the Yachad guests offered to autograph merchandise for the Yeshiva players in return.

All in all, it was a fun night that resulted in a lot more than the exchange of signatures. Neither the athletes nor the guests from Yachad are bound to forget this night anytime soon.