Franklin Township Athletic Association hosted its annual Russell “Bups” Ahner Memorial Old-Timers Softball Game Sunday.

A highlight of the game was the honoring of Jaxon Goss, a 3-year-old Summit Hill toddler who suffers from GM1 gangliosidosis, a disease that robs children of nearly every skill and bodily function required to live.

Goss was introduced before the game and presented with a game ball signed by all the participants.

His parents received a check for $1,000 from the Franklin Township Athletic Association, an additional check with funds raised from a basket raffle and bake sale, and a check from Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank.

A Franklin Township firetruck brought the boy to the game.

He was held for the ceremonies by his parents, David Goss and Jess Szoke.

Wayne Wentz, the emcee for the program, announced, “Today is Jaxon Goss Day in Franklin Township.”

He said Goss was chosen as the recipient of the funds because of the increasing medical bills the family faces.

The Russell “Bups” Ahner Memorial Old-Timers Softball game has an annual tradition of helping someone in the community with the game played at the Phifer’s Ice Dam field.

Ahner was a Franklin Township supervisor who championed youth sports.

Sunday’s game, which accentuates fun over competition, featured Franklin Township Old-Timers, which included coaches of the Little League teams and members of the Franklin Township Athletic Association, playing against members of the Franklin and Lehighton Fire Departments.

Three other people honored Sunday were Donald Bloom and John “Pop” Lynn, both in their 80s, who Wentz said had been involved with the Athletic Association since its founding, and the late Jeff Sensinger, a Little League coach who died unexpectedly at the age of 48 in October 2017. The trio received signs designating them “Shining Stars.” The signs are hung on the outfield fence of Phifer’s Ice Dam field.

Bloom needed assistance with a walker to reach the pitching mound and accept the award.

He was on the official “Old Timers” roster and was even given a time at bat. He was assisted by his walker and another player to home plate and given a bat. He managed to hit the ball, which generated great applause.

Four generations of family members attended to see him get the award.

Lynn was the umpire for the game.

Sensinger was represented by his son, Noah Sensinger, 19.

Noah said, “He was a great dad and a great coach; and I love him to death.”

The baseball game was a six-inning contest won by the old-timers. Although it was a fun game, it consisted of several home runs, slides and even stolen bases.