[Sportsandrec] Beep Baseball or not???

[Mike Sivill]

Damn the rules is a lot better philosophy than damn the sport.
MIke

-----Original Message-----
From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Thornbury, Kelly
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:26 AM
To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Sportsandrec] Beep Baseball or not???

As one of my classes we had a section on softball...actually teaching
concepts and strategies. Being the only blind person in the class (or
program for that matter) the instructor and I decided that the fewer
adaptations we used, the more beneficial (from a teaching standpoint) it
would be for me. So, when in the outfield, yours truly pitched...I've seen a
correct slow pitch arc and understood the concept as a blind person, and
only needed to lay my cane on the ground for a general direction to the
hitter, and to have the hitter call out so I knew where she/he was. The only
concern was from one of my own teammates who was worried about me and line
drives...My response was that line drives would hit any pitcher standing
there (we didn't use gloves), and if it did hit me, what an amazing stop
that would be by the blind guy. When we were hitting, I was allowed to pitch
to myself; the opposing basemen would call out where our bases were, and I
would have a sighted runner along side me just for extra support (all these
kids were 15 years my younger, and most could outrun me quite easily). 

So, how did all this work out??? Well, our team won the in class tournament;
on days the wind wasn't blowing I fielded a couple of grounders by hearing
the ball roll along the grass; I actually "stopped" three line drives (two
in the legs and one to the chest, all leaving awesome bruises and great
conversational topics later in the clubs); and with all the "injuries" this
was my favorite section and I had an amazing time. 

I would love to try beep baseball (the chances of that here in Wyoming are
pretty remote right now), but I guess my point of this rambling is that you
can get out there and "facilitate" whatever game with whatever rules gets
you out there and having fun with friends. "Damn the rules, full speed
ahead" (thank you Admiral Farragut because I'm still not up on the song
lyrics thing yet). 

Kelly
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