Blind Little League Fan Cheers Loudest For Others

John Logelin has the best seat in the house when he watches Little League games in Port Angeles, even though he lost his eyesight 13 years ago.

The 47-year-old Port Angeles native relies on the sight of the fans, his wife, and the images he creates in his mind’s eye to “see” the games.

“I’ve got the whole scene pictured in my mind,” Logelin said. “I’ve followed sports, especially baseball, all my life. Losing my sight didn’t change my love of the game. You don’t have to have sight to enjoy it. You can hear it, and feel it.”

Since 1983, when his son J.D., now 17, played Little League, Logelin has been sitting in the peanut gallery cheering for the teams.

He lost his eyesight a year before because of complications from diabetes. Nothing would stop him, however, from being in the stands when his son played ball.

“The kids are playing for the love of the game, and you can hear that,” Logelin said. “I hear the kids having fun and hear the pride in their parents’ voices. I know the batting order, and if it changes, someone tells me.

“I do have to ask just where the ball is hit, and either my wife or someone in the audience will let me know.”

Lynn Logelin said she had to educate herself in a number of different sports to provide her husband with the play-by-play necessary for him to see the game.

“I’ve had to learn all the terminology, and I am still not as fast as I should be,” Lynn said. “I have to be able to describe what’s going on in the game. Baseball has been the easiest. Basketball is too fast for me at times, and I haven’t learned everything about football. In those cases, he will listen to the radio.”

Joining Logelin at sporting events until recently has been Max, his 10-year-old German shepherd guide dog. Max has developed a few health problems and his eyesight is not as keen as it once was.

“He’s one of the retired guys now,” Logelin said as he stroked the sleeping dog. “Throughout the years, kids may not remember me, but they never forget Max. I owe this dog a lot. He allowed me to get out, and he opened the door for me. We’ve been a team for a long time.”

Logelin continued attending Little League games long after his son quit playing because he had become attached to the kids and the sport. He likes to cheer for the kids whose parents don’t show up.

“Some kids have nobody in the stands to cheer for them,” Logelin said. “Their mom or dad will drop them off and will come back in a few hours. We overlook our youth and don’t realize how important it is to have somebody in your corner. Over the years, I’ve tried to provide support.”

When it comes to his son, Logelin beams with pride. He said it was important to him that his son be able to participate in sports, since he was ill as a youth with diabetes.

“Sometimes it hurts me because I can’t see my own son play,” Logelin said. “There are times when I wish I could have seen it. My son tells me it’s important for me to be there, so I am. I didn’t want to be blind, but sometimes you have to play the hand you’re dealt.”

J.D. is a senior in high school and on the track team. He said it is important for his father to be involved with his athletics.

“I like having him around,” J.D. said. “He gets to experience a little through me, things he didn’t get to do.”

Logelin helps Little League by rounding up team sponsors. He also works to get more volunteers and raise funds needed for new uniforms and equipment. Now living on disability, Logelin worked in logging and maintenance before losing his sight.

The season has begun, and Logelin stays close to the ballpark, trading quips with the kids.

“I have learned to use other senses,” Logelin said. “I always had the senses, but they were not used to the fullest potential.”

In addition to his finely tuned senses, Logelin has also developed the organ responsible for his love of sports - his heart.

“Young kids just bring out the best in everyone,” Logelin added. “I love that I can be a small part of it.”