Buddy Baseball - building friendships, breaking barriers & an opportunity to play

Florida BaseballBiz

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