Flanked by family, friends, and supporters, Callen Walck was all amped up as he readied himself to throw out the opening pitch.

A solid turnout came out Monday to watch the Russell "Bups" Ahner Memorial Old-Timers Softball Game held at Phifer Ice Dam Park in Franklin Township.As expected, Callen, who will enter first grade at Franklin Elementary this coming school year, was the star of the show, and for good reason.Just before starting kindergarten, Callen, 5, was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease - a hereditary disorder that affects one in 2,500 Americans.With a smile that stretched from one ear to the other, Callen arrived at the field in a firetruck, riding from the Franklin Township Fire Company.Asked how it felt to receive a ride in the firetruck, Callen simply responded, "Good."His mother, Jamie Walck, summed up the game."It's awesome.""It means a lot to us. We have had problems with getting him to appointments because of the cost and everything," Jamie said. "It's about achieving awareness, and getting the word out there about different diseases and disabilities."Callen has played in the Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley since he was 3 years old.Though Callen wasn't officially diagnosed until age 5, his mother said the family had noticed symptoms since birth.The game is held each year to raise funds for local youth dealing with medical issues.Checks were presented to Callen from both sides before the game started.Wayne Wentz, who helps organize the game, said children are selected in consultation with school nurses.Also before the game, Jim Zurn and Larry Ahner, longtime members who recently passed away, were recognized as Franklin's Shining Stars.Their families were on hand to accept placards in their memory.The game pitted the Franklin Township "old-timers" against a squad from Jim Thorpe, and was filled with action right from the start.In the top of the first inning, John Searfoss led off the game with a home run after he crushed a pitch over the fence to stake the Jim Thorpe team to a 1-0 lead.But that lead didn't last long, as Kevin O'Donnell blasted a solo shot of his own over the fence in the bottom half of the first to put the Franklin Township team on the board and knot the score up 1-1.The event has raised more than $115,000 over the years for sick or needy children.