Zack Downey wasn鈥檛 with the Victoria Junior Mariners in person on opening day of the sa国际传媒 Junior Premier Baseball League Championship in Langley on Thursday, but he was never far away. Currently undergoing treatment at Vancouver Children鈥檚 Hospital for lymphoma, Downey has been unable to join the sa国际传媒 champion team he pitched for last season.
Instead, the Mariners, who have kept Downey鈥檚 name on the roster throughout their schedule, wore 鈥淶ack Nation鈥� T-shirts to Langley. He鈥檒l be in all the players鈥� hearts as they work to defend their title.
On Thursday, the Mariners edged the Vancouver Jr. Cannons 2-1 in the eight-team tournament, and they鈥檒l be up against the Langley Jr. Blaze today. The round-robin continues through Saturday, with playoffs set for Sunday.
To help out the Downey family in this difficult time, people can donate bottles in Zack鈥檚 name at any Bottle Depot location. For donations and other offers of help, email Adrian Somers at [email protected] or Don Bryan at [email protected].
