For as long as anyone can remember, Elijah “Eli” Drummond and Dante Bonamico have been buddies. Going back more than a decade, they officially became “buddies” as part of the Bridgeport Challenger League.

 

A week ago, today, the two buddies were back in their official role of buddies paying tribute to their old buddies and plenty of new ones. It was a day when everything came full circle for two of the most successful student-athletes at the collegiate level in recent years from Bridgeport High School.

 

If all of the buddy lines have you a bit confused, don’t worry. I’ll explain.

 

Drummond and Bonamico’s friendship is pretty clear. As for ”officially” becoming buddies more than 10 years ago, that’s where things take really heartwarming turn and why April 27 of this year was pretty special.

 

For those that follow this blog and Connect-Bridgeport, you know about the Challenger League of Little League baseball. It’s a league designed for those with physical and mental restrictions to have a chance to enjoy the Little League baseball experience thanks to Bridgeport’s Mike and Kim Martin.

 

It’s also a league created to allow members of Bridgeport’s long-time Little League, or other youngsters, to become “buddies.” The buddies help youngsters needing assistance and also provide social interaction to the players in the Challenger League. The Martins have called it among the best parts of a league that is good in every way, shape and form.

 

If you don’t believe me, just ask Eli and Dante.

 

“Dante and I started being a buddy in Challenger back when we were in Little League. I think we were nine years old,” said Drummond. “You’re nine at the time, but I still remember how I felt. It was humbling really fast because you were not only thankful for your own health, but you realize how fortunate you are to help out.”

 

Bonamico didn’t have any problem recalling his start in the league either. He said it was a simple request and one he was more than ready to do.

 

“Our Little League coach asked us to volunteer; you weren’t forced into it. I jumped at the chance because I was going to school with a lot of the kids in the league,” said Bonamico. “It was something the kids in the league came to school excited about and you could see it. Here were these kids who were having physical demands that at that age is sometimes difficult to understand, but you could understand that they were having as much fun as anyone else was playing baseball.”

 

The thing that worked for the two BHS alums, as Bonamico alluded to, was both had no issues dealing with youngsters with special needs. They went to school with them and it was somewhat of a natural transition.

 

“There’s no doubt it helped knowing some of the kids. At that age we went up to the field and saw a lot of familiar faces,” said Drummond.  “It really didn’t take much time at all, if any time at all, to get used to playing with our friends.”

 

Bonamico echoed those comments.

 

“That made it easier. All the players trust their buddies and even if they didn’t know you it didn’t take long to get that trust because it was always special to see them looking up to their buddies,” said Bonamico. “As a kid it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve been through because I realized they weren’t the only ones looking forward to the games. Eli and I both were looking forward to the games as well.”

 

Their stint of official buddies with Challenger ended some time ago. In the last few years, most of Drummond and Bonamico’s time has been spent in the classroom and on the football field at West Virginia University.

 

And last week is when it all came full circle and they were back with their Challenge League buddies. I happened when Mike Martin contacted the pair and asked them if they wanted to take part in opening day. Both were all in.

 

“It didn’t take me five seconds to respond because not only was this a chance to be back with Challenger, but Mike has done a ton for the entire community,” said Bonamico. “Back in high school, I was in his business (Bridgeport Physical Therapy) three or four times a month. To come back at his request and to be with the kids again was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. We were honored to be asked back.”

 

Drummond said the same thing. It ended up working out on multiple fronts.

 

“I jumped right at it; who wouldn’t if you’ve been involved with the league,” said Drummond. “I actually said yes and had to check if I could because we had community service the same morning. I checked the times, and everything worked out. It turned out to be a great day.”

 

Before noon last Saturday, Eli and Dante returned to Challenger League baseball. Right away, they felt at home.

 

There were a whole lot of new faces. Even better, however, there were several familiar ones.

 

The pair noticed and got to spend time with Michael Nottingham, Brianna Cumberledge, along with Zach and Josh Rhine and a host of others.

 

“It was great seeing them and just so much fun to see them” said Drummond. “All of our old buddies and all of our new buddies were smiling and you’re immediately in a good mood. How can you not be when you’re around those kids? They’re positive about everything in life.”

 

Along with hanging out, the pair had business to take care of. Each former official “buddy” got to throw out a first pitch. They then hung out and signed autographs and talked with anyone and everyone who was gathered at what is unquestionably the best sporting event – best event period – in Bridgeport and beyond.

 

“I was ready to have some fun with the kids as soon as I got there,” said Bonamico. “It’s an experience everyone should be part of.”

 

As I’ve said before, it’s an experience everyone involved with youth sports should be required to be part of. Challenger League Baseball is everything that’s right with kids and everything that’s right with youth sports.

 

If you don’t believe how powerful and moving of an experience it is, consider this. Not only did Bonamico and Drummond both say they’d be back whenever asked, they explained how it compared to competing in a bowl game, flying around the country on jets to play in Big 12 games or playing in front of 60,000 in Morgantown.

 

“You go to these big games or a Big 12-affiliated bowl and your tense, your heart is racing, and you have the nervousness that comes with getting ready to do something really big in your life,” said Bonamico. “I see those kids playing and I see the same excitement I see from my teammates at WVU. Every game is their bowl game or Big 12 game. It’s that big of a deal to everyone involved because every single thing you’re involved with now has perspective about what really matters.”

 

Drummond even went further.

 

“Like Dante said, these games are their bowl games; their championship conference game. There’s few things that mean more than to play for the Mountaineers, but to be a buddy with those kids playing with everything they have actually means more,” said Drummond. “Everything you need in sports is right there and we’re both glad to be part of it again.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Eli Drummond, left, and Dante Bonamico, right, posing for a photo with a new buddy. Second and third photos show Drummond and Bonamico, respecitvely, throwing out their first pitches. The pair are shown in the next two photos in during WVU games in 2018, while both are shown below with Challenger League organizer Kim Martin. Photos by Ben Queen and Joey Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com.