Funding secured to build two synthetic rubber fields for special needs children
Temple Terrace, Fla. (October 10, 2017) – Players with special needs will soon have a baseball field that is wheelchair accessible, safer for play and allow even more opportunities for children with special needs and mobility issues to play baseball.
Buddy Baseball is a non-competitive recreational league for boys and girls with special needs where players are paired with a buddy to assist them on the field. Since the league’s inception in 2009, the league has been playing on traditional clay and sod softball fields which can be challenging for children with mobility issues. Currently there are no synthetic rubber baseball fields in Hillsborough County for children with special needs.
Buddy Baseball in conjunction with the City of Temple Terrace are in the early planning stages with construction scheduled to begin in March 2018. The State of Florida and Hillsborough County will be funding the project. The fields will be located at the Temple Terrace Parks & Recreation – Family Recreation Complex.
“The need for these fields is evident by the growth of our league which has grown to 16 teams for each of our spring and fall seasons” said Russ Oberbroeckling, Buddy Baseball founder and executive director. “We’re overwhelmed by the support provided by our elected officials to this much-needed project to create an even better setting where children with unique needs are understood and embraced.”
Current funding will be used for field construction. Buddy Baseball is seeking additional donations and sponsorships to support the growing league. All donations are a tax-deductible investment to the league. Donations can be made online at http://buddybaseball.org/sponsorships/donations/ or by contacting Russ Oberbroeckling, executive director at russ@buddybaseball.org.
ABOUT BUDDY BASEBALL
Buddy Baseball is a non-competitive recreational league for boys and girls ages 8 to 22 with special needs. Each player is paired with a buddy to assist on the field and in the dugout. Buddy Baseball’s inaugural season began October 2009 through a dedicated group of volunteers attracting 36 players and 38 buddies to form six teams. Since then, Buddy Baseball has accomplished more than was ever imaginable on and off the field. At the start of the 17th season in September 2017, the league has grown to more than 16 teams with more than 90 different schools participating.