If you are visually impaired like me, you may have thought that playing a team sport like basketball, volleyball or baseball was out of the question. The idea of balls flying through the air at high speeds toward a person who is visually impaired sounds like a recipe for injury and humiliation. But think again! Recently, while attending a conference for the visually impaired at the New York Public Library, I came across an information table for the Long Island Bombers baseball team. Everyone on the team is legally blind or blind. All sighted members of the team wear blindfolds to level the playing field. Though I had seen video of the team at the information table, I decided I had to see them in action. So one fine summer day I went to a tournament between the Long Island Bombers and the Boston Renegades. The game and its players were amazing! The game requires tremendous focus, athleticism, and courage. The official name of the game is Beep Baseball and it is a little different from the game played by the Yankees. To explain it simply, there are usually 6 outfielders and two bases. The pitcher and catcher are the only team members not blindfolded. The pitcher activates the beeping ball before pitching it. The ball beeps to help the batter locate and swing at it. There are the usual number of strikes, but no walks. Once the batter gets a hit, one of the two bases begins buzzing. The batter must identify which base is buzzing, safely run to the base and tag it before the outfielders locate the beeping ball. If the batter arrives at the base before the ball is caught by the outfielders, he or she is safe and scores one run for the team. The game moves at a surprisingly swift and exciting pace!
Many major cities around the world have teams and National and World Championships are held each year. When I discovered the Long Island Bombers it was at the end of their season, but I plan to try out and take a swing at baseball next year!
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