Batboys, batgirls selected for Pavlik's softball challenge Saturday

Team Pavlik: Softball Practice

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Area children have been selected to be batboys and batgirls for Saturday's Kelly Pavlik Celebrity Softball Slam.

The game is 6 p.m. Saturday at Cene Park in downtown Struthers. The game is a benefit for the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

A donation of $5 will be collected at the gate. Kids 12 and under can be admitted free using tickets printed in The Vindicator on Thursday and Saturday.

To be a batboy or batgirl, the youth had to write an essay on why Kelly Pavlik is great. Here are the essays:

Harper DeMay, Age 10

I like Kelly Pavlik because he fights hard, he’s nice to all, helps many charities, and most of all...he loves Youngstown! If I had a hero, it would be him. Kelly is strong, confident and powerful. He’s so many great things that I am proud to live in the same town as him. Kelly has a huge heart which is the best things anyone could have. He has not lost one single fight, which makes him tough and a winner. Even when he gets knocked down, he keeps fighting. For me, Kelly Pavlik is the best man in Youngstown!

Justin Marrie, Age 7

I like Kelly Pavlik because he boxes and I think I might want to be a boxer.

I also like that Pavlik plays baseball, because I play baseball.

Riko Rodriguez, Age 8

I like Kelly Pavlik because he is a great fighter. He is very strong. He worked very hard since he was a kid to some day be the Champion. I like Kelly because he came from a small town and made it “Big.” Someday, I can too. I like how he always thanks Youngstown after his fights. I like how now that he is famous, he likes to help kids and people in need. He always takes the time to give kids his autograph. I like him because he is a good person — a champion — and my hero.

Matt Pontuti, Age 13

The reason I like Kelly Pavlik is not only because he is the best known person in Youngstown since Ray Mancini, but he knows some of my family. The reason is because he was invited to my cousin’s graduation party from Niles McKinley High School. My aunt had Kelly in her kitchen and was drinking beer before he became the pride of Youngstown. He knows my cousins fairly well and would remember their name if he was told them to him. Ever since he fought Edison Miranda, he caught my eye in a way like all the old Boom Boom videos I have seen and have been told by my parents.

Jowad Atway, Age 10

Kelly Pavlik is my hero — as well as Youngstown’s hero. He makes Youngstown proud to be the holder of the middle weight champion title. In my eyes, Kelly Pavlik is the greatest boxer of all time. I would love to be a batboy at the Celebrity Softball Slam. To hang out with Kelly and the other local celebrities would be an honor. Kelly came to my school in Canfield and told us about how important education is. He also encouraged us to stay in school. I admire how brave he is in the ring. If he ever gets knocked out or pushed to the ground, he gets up and stays strong. He is a living legend, and to be his batboy would mean the world to me.