DARLINGTON — The Redbirds will continue their annual Autism Awareness Month tradition of hosting a game to raise funds for local benefit. This year, Darlington will host rival Mineral Point on April 20 at Sieg Field.
The tradition started in 2017 and has run every year since – with the exception of 2020, when the spring season was canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In that time, the Redbirds have raised about $18,000.
“Hopefully this year we can get to $20,000,” said Karen Bennett, Darlington’s softball coach when the tradition first started. The funds are donated to the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin.
Her grandson, Kase Kattre, received an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis in the fall of 2016. Amy Kattre, Kase’s mom and Bennett’s daughter who graduated from DHS in 2001, has taken on a leading role over the years, from designing t-shirts to organizing raffle baskets. Amy Kattre is currently employed by the Oregon School District as a teacher at Forest Edge Elementary in Fitchburg.
ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact and learn in ways that are different from most people. The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly.
Signs of ASD can be noticed during infancy, though early intervention during adolescence has shown remarkable improvement in many cases. However, there is no cure, and while symptoms may improve over time, they can last a person’s entire life.
Back in 2017, Bennett said the stars sort of aligned for that first Autism Awareness game. That spring, the Redbirds hosted Pecatonica, whose coach at the time also had a child with ASD.
“It just worked out so well,” Bennett said. “She (Amy) thought it would be a good way to raise money for the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin. It’s had great support from the community so far. It’s always been a good night.”
Over the years Kase has been known to throw out the first pitch. Last year, the Redbirds held a Miracle Minute – collecting cash donations from the crowd over the course of one minute. That drive will continue this year, as will a silent auction filled with goodies in various gift baskets, baked goods and stickers.
Players will wear ribbons in their hair, as well as matching Autism Awareness rubber bracelets. Spectators will also have a chance to gain possession of some wristbands.
“It’s our way to help give back,” said Molly Rice, Bennett’s former assistant who took over the program as head coach in 2018. Bennett said Rice told her at the time that she would bring the annual game back each year she was coach. That promise has so far been kept.
“It’s exciting. The girls always enjoy it,” Rice said. “This year it’s also a rivalry game. That should bring even more excitement, and hopefully a lot of people. Hopefully the weather is nice.”
The early forecast suggests partly cloudy conditions with temps in the mid-60s.
