Buddy Ball

Have any of you ever seen a "BUDDY BALL" game?
Buddy ball is where kids with different special needs take part in a sporting, art, dance, etc. event thanks to the assistance of a "Buddy".....another person who works as their shadow or assistant. This is the second year that we have had our middle son in BUDDY BASEBALL.....and it is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL things I have ever witnessed. Everyone gets to hit, everyone gets to field, no one is out (at least in this age group) and everyone wins! He is so proud of himself...and because of that, he is really doing well. We had tried regular baseball teams with our older Aspie son, but we knew after just the beginning t-ball experience that our middle son would need something different.

I often think back to his first regular team. We were living in a smaller community then. He was into sportscasting at the time. Sooooo...the first time he got up to the plate, he started with...
"And the batter is getting ready, there's the pitch...oooohhhh...a swing and a miss...."
(By the way, this was just t-ball.)
He finally allowed himself to hit the ball and said, "And the batter is running to first base..."  followed by sound effects as he made his way to first in over-acted slow motion.....
Yes, we needed something else....

Buddy Ball has been great for him and it has been great for our older son, too. He has developed enough that he serves as a buddy for kids in the younger division. I have to say that he is one of the best buddies out there....I think that is because he's been there, he knows what the kids need and he is able to supply that. It makes me very proud to see him serving in this capacity.....giving back....even if it is on a small scale. 

So for the next few Friday nights, you can find us at the diamond...like most families with sons this time of year....
thanks to.....
BUDDY BALL!!!

(I will post pictures on my page o' pics soon.)