'The Jake' is field of dreams for Westlake grad
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published June 21, 2006

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On April 26, Cathy Sroka was sitting in the right field mezzanine at Jacobs Field with her boyfriend of five years, Scott Demchuk. During the bottom half of the third inning of the Tribe game against Boston, the fans sitting in her row left to check out the concession stand. As fate would have it, Indians first baseman Ben Broussard cranked a home run into the now open seats. Sroka dove after the ball and snagged it.

"Getting the ball was amazing," Sroka said. "I was in total shock. I turned to Scott and said 'This is the best night of my life.'"

She had no idea how right she was.

Demchuk, who grew up in Westlake and graduated from the high school in 1997, did not script Broussard's home run, but he had planned everything else. Five years ago Demchuk invited his co-worker Sroka to an Indians game. They began a relationship and have been inseparable ever since. April 26 was their fifth anniversary and for Demchuk, the perfect time to ask Sroka to marry him. Rather than propose via the scoreboard, Demchuk had planned something a little more subtle and personal. He had already set up for his mother to meet him during the fourth inning in the concourse. While Sroka was still pumped about her home run ball, Demchuk left and returned with an Indians gift bag.

"I couldn't figure out why he had bought me a white team jersey since I was already wearing one," Sroka said. "Then I pulled it out and it said 'Marry Me' on the back. I just looked at him and said, 'Are you serious?' We had been dating five years and I was starting to get antsy. I was just so happy and ecstatic. It was the best day of my life."

"Having her catch Broussard's home run just made everything perfect," Demchuk said.

"I had always thought the greatest thing would be getting proposed to at an Indians game," Sroka said. "I have played softball since I was five and always played catch with my dad. I love going to Indians games.”

A proposal at an Indians game is not all that uncommon, but a wedding at Jacobs Field? What could be better for two life-long Tribe fans?

The Indians' Manager of Communications and Creative Services, Curtis Danburg, agreed and told the couple about the Indians' Ultimate Wedding promotion and suggested that they enter the contest. They spent two weeks making a video about the proposal and were selected as one of three finalists. Fans voting online then selected the couple as the winners of an all expenses paid $50,000 wedding, including a wedding dress, tuxes, flowers, rings, honeymoon, bride and groom hotel accommodations (Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade) and live music at the reception (Special Productions). The ceremony will take place at Jacobs Field with the reception to follow in the Terrace Club. Well Bread, the exclusive caterer for Jacobs Field and the Terrace Club, will provide the food and beverage for the reception.

The one catch is that Demchuck and Sroka will have no say in the choices as fans can vote now through June 25 online at www.indians.com for the bridal gowns provided by Expressions Bridal & Formal and tuxedos provided by American Commodore Tuxedo. From July 21-30 fans can vote for the wedding rings provided by Robert & Gabriel; August 8-13 for flowers presented by Rosemark Florist and honeymoon packages presented by Carlson Wagonlit Travel. On August 26 all of the winning elements will be announced at the Indians game against Detroit. The couple will get married on September 8 right at home plate.

While some brides might not want their wedding plans decided by someone else, Sroka is thrilled.

"I'm simple," she said. "Scott wanted a big wedding while I was content for something small or even eloping. I would rather save money for a house and now we can do that. It is a blessing from God."

Demchuck said he would be happy with anything the fans voted on. Sroka agrees, but with one small exception. She is hoping the fans will pick her favorite of the three dresses online.

"A wedding dress should be white," she said, "One dress is really big with sequins and I am small and I am afraid the dress will overtake me. I like the simple, elegant dress."

After five years together, the short engagement period is not that big of a deal for the couple. Both are thrilled with the way everything has worked out.

"This is incredible," Demchuk said. "Everything has been amazing."

"This is a once in a lifetime event," Sroka said. "We both want to thank the Indians and all of the fans, our friends and family that voted for us. It is both of our dreams come true."