The Cubs didn’t make the World Series this year (curse those Dodgers!), but we can take solace in fact that a Kane County team has just won the World Series … of Bean Bag Baseball.

The Aurora Aces bean bag baseball team, sponsored by Senior Services Associates, recently competed for and captured the Bean Bag Baseball World Series trophy, beating out six other local teams.

Bean bag baseball is a competitive game that is storming senior centers and assisted living centers throughout the Fox Valley for the past several years. Local team sponsors include Senior Services Associates, The Prisco Center, Fox Knoll, Asbury Gardens, Jennings Terrace, Plum Landing and Constitution House.

“Teams play all year to get to this World Series,” said Paul Heinkel, Activity Director at Senior Services Associates. “This is a single elimination tournament, and it gives the team members bragging rights for the whole year.”

Heinkel outlined some of the benefits of the Bean Bag Baseball League and tournament.

“These teams give our senior citizens opportunity for physical activity and socialization. These teams are very competitive, too,” he said. “It is really amazing to see how competitive they area and how they control their nerves under pressure. Once this competition begins it all comes down to who handles the pressure well.”

It was quite an exciting day when the Aurora Aces won the World Series.

“We are very happy to bring this trophy home,” said Aurora Aces Captain Chuck Cornele. “The trophy has been dedicated to the memory of one of the league sponsors, Jerry Hartenberger. Jerry was a founding member of the Aurora Aces and he is beloved by our team members.”

Heinkel echoed the sentiment.

“Jerry helped me to start this league years ago,” he said. “Everybody knew Jerry, and everybody loved Jerry. We decided it would be a great honor to name this trophy after him.”

Senior Services will be displaying the Jerry Hartenberger World Series Cup, for the next year at their center at 900 N. Lake Street in Aurora IL.

“We are always looking for teams to join us,” said Cornele. For more information on Bean Bag Baseball competitions, and other programs and activities for senior citizens in the local area, contact Paul Heinkel at 630-897-4035.

SOURCE: Aurora Senior Services news release

• Feature Photo Caption: Aurora Aces Bean Bag Baseball Team, left to right): Ana Estrada, Juan Avendano, Co-Captain Rosa Perales, Elisa Plata, Lupe Rodriguez, Maria Rivera, Chuck Swain, Pedro Sanchez, Captain Chuck Cornele, Provy Andino, Maria Chavez, Stephanie Aguirre and Nicholas Aguirre.