The ball was put in play, runs were scored but not tallied, outs may or may not have been recorded and celebratory team tunnels were run through before returning to the dugout.

The Very Special Game at Westwood took place Saturday.

Two Mesa rivals. Three innings. Twelve years of tradition.

It was everything that had become associated with the game between Westwood and Red Mountain. The baseball players had lesser roles than they’ll have when the two teams meet up in April to close out the regular season.

“It’s amazing to be part of it and to see the smiles on their faces,” Red Mountain senior Cyrus Ellington said. “It makes you realize you how beautiful this day is, how amazing all of these kids are and how beautiful this game is that we get to play all of the time.”

No one took pre-game infield and outfield. There weren’t pitch counts that needed tracked. The score of the game wasn’t recorded on AzPreps365.

This day wasn’t about the baseball athletes on the field.

It was about inclusion.

There was another part of student body from each school wearing jerseys on this day.

Red Mountain's Ryan Celler was ready to play some defense for the Mountain Lions. (Jason P. Skoda/AZPreps365)

Westwood baseball coach J.R. Langston had the idea, and he worked it out with retired Westwood teacher Jane Pagel.  Along with the help of countless others including her husband Ross, who was the Red Mountain baseball coach at the time, they put all of this into motion years ago and it has become one of the highlights of the school year for those involved.

The Pagels, along with their adult children, still have their involvement with the game although more behind the scenes with each passing year.

“It’s become more than I could have hoped,” Jane said. “Their little faces… the smiles. They look forward to it.”

The annual game brings together special needs students, some of whom spend their school days in self-contained classrooms and usually only see other members of the student body at assemblies and pep rallies.

Other participants were students bound to wheelchairs, non-verbal students, some with down syndrome and those who fall on the autism spectrum.

Interacting and participating isn’t always possible within the school walls and when it is planned, it doesn’t mean it will happen due to a million different variables.

On this day, however, on the bright green grass, shortened infield that all seemed forgotten as the two sides seamlessly ran through the lineups and changed sides from top to bottom of innings.

Every one of them were celebrated during this game.

Whether it was when their names came over the PA system by longtime Westwood announcer Bob Boxley, the personalized signs held up by family members or when they were high-fived by a Warrior or Red Mountain buddy as they put a medal around their neck.

“This is best day,” Westwood’s Lucious Gonzales said. “I run like the wind and try to be an athlete win or lose. It made me feel fantastic.”

Westwood’s Amanda Barraza and Lucious could barely contain their enthusiasm, and they were whopping up the crowd after scoring before heading back to the dugout.

https://x.com/AZPreps365Skoda/status/2018027080337043628/video/1

On the other side, Red Mountain’s Kyson Hartwig and teammates Ryan Celler, Anika, Tori, and Jason made defensive plays, hit the ball over the defense, and were greeted by teammate tunnels and they couldn’t contain their smiles.

“It felt good,” said Kyson, who hit several balls over the Westwood defense. “I knew I could hit it that far. I knew I could because I believed I could. We’re all get together and play as hard as we can. We are all one team.”

The impression left from this day over years is never left only to those swinging bats and being pushed in wheelchairs.

The parents and family members are seeing their child play a game despite the fact that many were told after birth that they may never be able to play sports.

 “It’s great to see Mandy and all of her teammates out there,” said Amanda’s grandma Lena. “They’re all very excited to be out there. She’s a social butterfly. We are blessed to have her part of our life, and it is a blessing to see her getting the chance to do something like this.”

Those who play the game freely and walk through the halls with ease get a glimpse of what life is like for others in their school.

“I feel like being all around all of these kids it is clear they are the happiest people,” Red Mountain sophomore Simeon Johnson. “Almost like angels sent from heaven. Seeing their positive attitudes inspires me to be a happier person and thankful.”

Sounds quite a bit like a Very Special Game.

“The players play with us,” Kyson said. “They high-five and teach us. We’re a team.”