Big Train Celebrates Sixth Annual Pride Night, Local Baseball Organizations

Evan Glass by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. – The Bethesda Big Train celebrated the sixth annual Pride Night for its fans on Saturday evening for its second matchup of the season against the Gaithersburg Giants. The Big Train was also proud to host Councilmember At-Large Evan Glass as Bethesda went on to overpower their opponents in an 11-5 win.

Councilmember Glass, the first openly LGBTQ+ council member in Montgomery County, knows the importance of Pride Night, as he led the movement to start the celebration for the Big Train and in Montgomery County as a whole. 

“I’ve made sure that as many organizations in Montgomery County are able to celebrate Pride so that every resident and family gets to celebrate,” Glass said. “People love the Big Train and come from all across Montgomery County for an evening of sport and celebrating our community. This is a really special place and I’m glad to be on board.”

As part of the Pride Night celebrations, the Big Train gave away Big Train Pride hand flags to the first 400 fans at Shirley Povich Field.

“There is a lot of hate in this world right now,” Glass said. “But there is no place I’d rather be than Montgomery County, where we celebrate everyone, protect our neighbors and continue spreading love and life.”

Alongside Pride Night, the Big Train were honored to celebrate Miracle League Night and BCC Baseball Night, and host KEEN, or Kids Enjoy Exercise Now.

The Miracle League's mission, according to their website, is to “Provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities and their financial circumstances.”

Mike Freeman, a volunteer Treasurer for the Miracle League, has been with the organization since 2015. He was introduced to the Miracle League by his son, Adrian. 

“Even when he’s not at the games, it’s still a very, very worthwhile program for the kids and the parents,” Freeman said. “I continued to be a part of it because of my love for baseball… it’s a way to give back to the community.”

For Freeman, the most important thing about the Miracle League is how accessible it is for everyone. “There’s no age range, we probably have kids who are 4-5 years old and we have others that are adults,” Freeman said. “Sometimes parents never have a chance to sit in the stands and cheer their kids on, it’s nice to have the opportunity to do that.”

Photo by Matthew Lewyn

As part of the Miracle League rules, each player is given the opportunity to bat, run the bases and score, with volunteer “buddies” assisting them and helping provide opportunities to play baseball as part of an organized league. 

“If somebody loves baseball and they want to contribute toward who we are and what we do at Miracle League… carry that forward, come out and be one of our volunteers,” Freeman said.

The Miracle League will play its final game of the Spring Sunday season from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, at Washington Nationals Miracle Field, located in the South Germantown Recreational Park.

“Prepare to have a good time,” Freeman said. “And as parents, be prepared to come and root for your child.”

KEEN is a local organization dedicated to “empowering youth with disabilities and impact volunteer coaches through participation in free, non-competitive, one-on-one programs of physical activity and fun, supporting the overall health and well-being of all participants,” according to their website.

KEEN serves over 500 children, teens and young adults with significant developmental and physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome, in the Greater DC-Baltimore area and provides over 1,300 program hours monthly in free activities, including swimming, basketball, taekwondo, bowling, dance, fitness, yoga and KEEN Club.

Photo by Matthew Lewyn

The Big Train will return to action Sunday morning against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts for Train Day and Homer’s Birthday Party, sponsored by PromoWorld and Washington Parent Magazine.

First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m., and the first 100 fans ages 12 and under will receive a Big Train whistle and a Homer Cake Pop.

Tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website.

Read the recap of tonight’s game