Buddy Baseball, Executive Director, Russ Oberbroeckling, shares the history & joyful stories of the Buddy Baseball League, a league for children with special needs
- Dave Wills' contributions to Buddy Baseball
- A non-competitive, recreational sport experience
- Players age range: 8-22, Buddies age range: 10-22
Establishment of Buddy Baseball
- 16 years of Buddy Baseball in Temple Terrace
- Current participation: 20 teams, 160-180 players, similar number of buddies
- First year Buddy Baseball had 6 teams, 36 players, 38 buddies
- Support from Temple Terrace Parks and Rec department
Growth and Facilities
- Expansion from 1 to 3 fields, with plans for another synthetic turf field
- Synthetic turf fields to accommodate wheelchairs & walkers
- Registration fees: $30 for players, $15 for buddies,
- Games include Announcers, walk-up music, national anthem
Community Involvement
- Game day volunteers for setup and support
- Annual background checks of coaches
- Off-season events: bowling, bingo, end-of-season parties
- Scholarship program available for some Buddies
.Memorable Moments:
- Everyone cheers for everyone, it's non-competitive & aimed at ensuring kids have fun
- Dave Wills Positive announcing - created special moments for players
- Emphasis on fun: if the ball reaches the outfield grass, it's a home run, and any hit is a fair ball
- Kids with various disabilities, including blind players and those with cerebral palsy, enjoying and participating in games.
- Special moments, a blind child hitting the ball or a girl with cerebral palsy "running" to home plate.
More than baseball:
- Buddy Baseball isn't just about baseball games.
- Upcoming activities: Bowling event before school starts, with prizes, face painting, balloon twisters, and more.
- End of season parties and additional summer activities like bingo.
Tampa Bay Rays:
- Rays support: hosting 100 kids and families at games, baseball magic clinics at Tropicana Field
- Special Magic Mondays: Kids invited on the field before games for a unique experience.
- Rays' events include field activities and meeting players like Shane McClanahan and Randy Arozarena
Tampa Baseball Museum will offer free admission to anyone in Buddy Baseball program who visits & states that they are part of Buddy Baseball
Importance of Community and Inclusion:
- Creates a sense of community & inclusion for kids with special needs.
- Camaraderie extends beyond the field to birthday parties, graduation parties, and other social events.
- Register your child at buddybaseball.org.
- Games are no more than an hour long, everyone bats and is safe,
- Need for volunteers: announcers, game day setup, and breakdown help.
- Encouraging the community to support through volunteering or donations.
- The importance of Buddy Baseball and the impact it has on the children and their families.
- Encouragement for listeners to get involved, volunteer, and support this fantastic initiative.
Contact Information:
- Learn more at: buddybaseball.org for registration, deadlines and volunteer opportunities.
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Special Thanks to Williams Ross Chernoff's Nomads for the music Makie Elkino
Notes generated in part by DeScript
