[blindkid] Baseball question

Mon Apr 13 15:13:50 UTC 2009

Dear Linda and All,
I want to make clear that I do not personally think so little of beep
baseball that I feel it needs defense. I also know some highly competitive
beep ball players. They are quite good actually. I also know these guys bust
a lot of beep balls with their competitiveness and have expressed some
frustration at its limits to me. We need a better beep ball in fact to keep
up with the athleticism and competitiveness of many blind baseball lovers. 

Competitiveness and tournaments aside though, as I said beep ball is great,
but it is different, it is not the same. Not that one is less or more.
Especially for one who has competed and done well in baseball, it is not
always so simple as switching to another method to do the same thing, and in
that case one need be a bit mindful I think that the player himself adjusts
to the change without feeling "less". I think it helps to also realize due
to all kinds of limits that tens of thousands of children a year adjust to
the fact that they will not be among those who play, in the end, the sport
they love and are quite good at, professionally. 

I think biking offers some sort of similar comparison in those who have been
powerful competitive single riders, and who need to make the change to
tandem. There are serious tandem teams among the sighted population too, it
is similar but not the same, and those making the adjustment need to as I
stated adjust with a positive attitude for it to go well. 

Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc
-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of lindashalm at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 10:50 AM
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Baseball question

You know, in defense of Beep Baseball, there are some seriously competitive
leagues in the Philadelphia area and maybe other areas.? While it seems like
a toned down game of?baseball, it still can be competitive game with
tournement play.? Again, www.usaba.org? (or maybe?your state's initials
followed by "aba.org") should have info.

Linda?

-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie Gilmer <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 4:55 pm
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Baseball question

Dear Mindy,
You have received lots of good feedback on this one. It tears a bit at our
hearts when our children find a limit because of blindness in something they
have loved. Unfortunately baseball requires sufficient vision, and quite
good vision, the more competitive it is. Beep ball is great but it is not
the same. It sounds like your son is really interested in serious athletic
competition as well as baseball. Maybe you already know of it, but it might
help him to surf the web site of the United States Association of Blind
Athletes. There are a wide variety of sports, and some serious competition
among blind athletes. There are also places where athleticism is possible
for him with non-disabled athletes. A legally blind woman has competed in
the Iditarod dog sledding, Eric Weinmayer (spelling?) remember climbs
mountains. Some blind wrestlers have competed in all around high school
wrestling.

It helped me to be able to encourage my son, and to resist the temptation to
feel sorry for my son when he had his own periodic tears or moments of
frustration or feeling sorry for himself because something seemed harder or
not possible because of vision loss, when I remembered (and helped him
realize)that every human has limits. Many an athlete's dreams have been
dashed by an injury too, and I think in Mike's suggestions of ways to outlet
the love of the game I hope he can find other ways to keep connected to it.
I am sure in time he will be okay with it. 

It is entirely possible that he could grow up to OWN a team one day too. It
might be a tough time for awhile to go through though, knowing how much he
loved it. I hope it does not last long. 

Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mindy Lipsey
Sent: Monday, April 0
6, 2009 7:14 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List (for parents of blind children); nfb
sports
Subject: [blindkid] Baseball question

My son has been playing baseball for 4 years.? This is the beginning of his
5th season.? He is very athletic and has done exceptionally well up until
this year.
?
Due to Stargardts, his vision is now 20/200.? This is the first year where
he's now having trouble hitting the ball.? He can catch and he has a great
arm, but he is now swinging too late and continually missing the ball.
?
He wants to continue playing and doesn't want to quit.? But, Josh is also
frustrated and angry.? Tonight is the first time he's ever said he wished he
didn't have an eye disease.? He says he wishes god would have given it to
another kid who doesn't love sports like he does.
?
I realize there are other sports that Josh can continue to participate in
forever.? Wrestling is one sport he began last year and he loves it.? But he
also loves baseball.
?
My?question for the group is:? Are there any adaptations others have tried
that have allowed their children to continue to play baseball?
?
Thanks-
Mindy

Mindy Lipsey
Mediaedge:cia
410-530-5555
9207 Harvest Rush Road
Owings Mills, MD? 21117

?

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