Many grandparents support their grandchildren’s athletic endeavors by attending games and driving them to practice, but few have gone to the lengths that Durinda Johnson has to ensure her grandson can stay on the field long after the summer season ends.

Fourteen-year-old Christian Johnson, a lifelong lover of baseball, was disappointed to temporarily retire his bat and glove once the leaves started turning gold last season. Grandma Durinda, determined to make her grandson’s dream a reality, stepped up to the plate and decided to create a fall team of her own.

Being Christian’s grandmother has always been a dedicated role for Durinda, who has attended almost every one of his practices and games over the past 11 years. She had never formed a team before and knew there was a chance she would strike out, but she was willing to give it her all to please Christian and his friends. “If the boys want it, Grandma will make it work,” exclaims Durinda. Through an inclusive recruiting process and the generosity of talented coaches, The Shenanigans were born in Mentor-on-the-Lake.

The Shenanigans are composed of 15 boys from different backgrounds and various local schools. They play doubleheaders every Sunday in the 15U league against six other teams. Players have mostly been recruited through word of mouth and are always welcome—whether they have the potential to join the Cleveland Guardians or can’t seem to do anything but hit foul balls. “I don’t feel a child should have to try out,” explains Durinda. “If we have a position, they’re on the team. We will make it work.” This inclusivity is one of the qualities that makes The Shenanigans so unique.

How good of a team are they? “It depends on how determined they are to win,” says Durinda. The Shenanigans are about to start their second season following a sixth-place finish last year. “Our coaches are the ones who really make it for us,” Durinda stresses. “If it weren’t for them, these boys would not be playing.” Currently, The Shenanigans are led by head coach Chris Federico and assistant coaches Ron Jividen and Corban Pursley. Durinda also credits Corsaro Insurance and Servicemaster for being generous sponsors.

The Shenanigans are the epitome of a “do-it-yourself” organization. “It’s all the boys’ efforts,” explains Durinda. “I just manage their wishes and give them the opportunity to play the game they love.” The boys designed their own jerseys and came up with quirky nicknames for each other. Instead of a traditional last name, each jersey is adorned with a unique personality indicator. “Beetlejuice,” “Scoot,” “Bub,” and “Tony the Pony” are just a few of the notable Shenanigans players to grace northeast Ohio’s baseball diamonds.

Durinda never had the opportunity to play sports growing up but sees just how important they are in the lives of young athletes. She views sports teams as an opportunity for personal development and a foundation for future success. “It teaches teamwork. It teaches responsibility. It teaches respect,” says Durinda.

Durinda Johnson is more than just the team’s manager. Despite being the biological grandmother to only one player, Durinda acts as a grandmother to each boy who plays for The Shenanigans. “I feel blessed when these boys come to me,” Durinda explains. Most of the boys don’t even know her real name—they simply call her “Grandma.” The title is proudly displayed on the back of her jersey.

Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 7, and Durinda sets the bar high for what an awesome grandma should look like. Her advice to other grandparents? “Don’t blink… They grow up way too fast. And always be there to support them.” One thing is for certain: Christian and his teammates definitely hit a home run when they made Grandma Durinda their team leader.

~Article by Sophia Filipiak