Quilt 1

Carl J. Cupka

My husband and, in turn, our son, Carl, have both played baseball from early on. Carl and his brother, Paul, were on the same team for several years, and lived for spring to arrive so they could begin playing again. Baseball practice usually begins in Little League at the end of March. Carl was just beginning his practices before his accident. He had blossomed into quite a talented player, not just in his brother, Paul's, shadow, but in his own right. We remember him as a catcher who determinedly"nailed" the runners at home plate, and a right fielder who made some surprising catches. He was excited about his upcoming year and the ability he had shown at practice, as was his dad.

Carl's accident on April 5 occurred right before his opening day. The season began the week he was in the hospital.

The following year we were notified by Prince William County Park Authority that the baseball field our family played on was to be taken over by the Park Authority and renamed the "Carl J. Cupka Memorial Field" as a result of a petition from the families in the league. The park spent much effort beautifying the field and erecting a sign with Carl's name on the field. Opening day in April 1992, a year after his death, was the dedication ceremony for the field. Our family was deeply touched by this tribute and it is the greatest honor we can imagine. We still have sons playing on this field, and baseball is a part of our spring and our memories of Carl.

(The field is on Rt. 234 outside of Dumfries/Manassas.)