2019-09-15 Buddy Baseball - a Non-competitive Recreational League for Individuals with Special Needs

Buddy Baseball <http://buddybaseball.org/>  is a non-competitive recreational league for boys and girls with special needs serving the Tampa Bay community. Each player is paired with a buddy to assist the player as needed on the field and in the dugout. The league fosters friendships and breaks down barriers. Not only do the players experience the thrill of participating in a sport, they also get to experience team play and camaraderie. Buddy Baseball is an opportunity like no other for children with special needs. Both girls and boys are encouraged to play and be buddies. This program is supported by the Temple Terrace Leisure Services Department. Buddy Baseball is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Games are one hour with a 15-minute practice prior. Teams consists of approximately six players, six or more buddies and coaches. Each team plays one game per Saturday during a seven-week Spring and Fall season.   Location: Temple Terrace Family Recreational Complex Softball Fields 6700 E. Whiteway Dr. <http://buddybaseball.org/contact-us/> Temple Terrace, FL 33617 <http://buddybaseball.org/contact-us/> <http://buddybaseball.org/contact-us/> (Behind Lewis Elementary) Players Ages: Students (boys and girls) ages 8–22 with special needs. Buddy Ages: Boys and girls ages 10–22. Game Times: Saturdays 9:45 am, 11:00 am, 12:15 pm or 1:30 pm. Registration: Registration is $30 for players with special needs, $15 for buddies, and no charge for coaches and volunteers. Financial assistance is available. Games: Saturday, 9/28/2019 through Saturday, 11/9/2019 Seasons: Fall & Spring for approximately eight weeks   Mission Statement Buddy Baseball’s mission is to provide any student with special needs ages 8 to 22 years old a chance to play ball where they can succeed, have fun, be part of a team, make friends and not be treated unkindly or cruelly because of their disability. We also provide typical children ages 10 to 22 years old as buddies a chance to interact with the special needs community to build their awareness and acceptance of these children. The league is designed to enable friendships to form and social barriers to be dissolved.  The players experience the thrill of participating, team play and camaraderie.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.