Baseball Team has 'Special' Fans

By Darren Brown, News9.com

MCLOUD, Oklahoma -- Athletes come in all shapes and sizes.  And sometimes it doesn't matter if you're "first string" or not.  But it helps to have friends who are.  

Katy Owen is coaching 17 kids from McLoud, Oklahoma in this year's Special Olympics Oklahoma.  Owen has been teaching Special Ed classes for 13 years, and has been taking kids to the Special Olympics for 5.

And she wants to make sure her kids are prepared.  That's why for a week leading up to the Special Olympics, her kids practiced each day.

"We just try to remind 'em of what they're supposed to be doin', and the events that they're doin'," Owen said.  "And make sure that they're prepared and ready to go."

But her kids have an added bonus.  Owen's husband is the McLoud High School baseball coach, and he lends not only his practice facility, but the support of his own "kids."

Katy's daughter Abby competed in Special Olympics last year.

"I got two medals," Said Abby. "One for second place and one for first  place." 

Abby also says she appreciates her baseball buddies for helping her with her "throwin' and runnin'.'

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS OKLAHOMA SUMMER GAMES ARE MAY 13-15 IN STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA.  FOR MORE INFO VISIT www.sook.org