Students Gathered in Central Park to Play the Adaptive Sport of

Blind Baseball  

Lighthouse Guild Youth Skills Program participates in the Adaptive Sport of Blind Baseball Clinic on May 6, in Central Park. Photo credit: Lighthouse Guild

Ed Plumacher, Adaptive Technology Specialist at Lighthouse Guild, and the president of the United States Blind Baseball Association, along with his fellow USBBA blind baseball players, coaches and volunteers and Jaydan Mitchell, Coordinator of Youth Programs at Lighthouse Guild, were on hand to offer expert coaching and to provide safety tips to help prevent eye injuries during Healthy Vision Month.

“Sports give young people a sense of belonging, a space to learn and to challenge themselves, and an outlet to have fun. That’s not to mention the numerous benefits on physical and mental health,” says Jaydan Mitchell. He continues, “These accessible sports allow our young people to know they’ve got a place in the field, the arena, the court… wherever they want to play. And they get to prove to themselves that they can be just as competitive, just as capable and every bit as successful as any other athlete out there.” 

Len and Emily Blavatnik, say, “The Blavatnik Family Foundation is honored to support the Lighthouse Guild in its mission to provide high quality care and innovative programs for visually impaired youths, helping to build self-esteem, confidence, and a strong sense of community.”

The adaptive sport of blind baseball was founded by AIBXC in Bologna, Italy 25 years ago and in recent years has become a sport played in the USA. The sport helps to cultivate a sense of self-reliance and social inclusion and serves as a powerful tool for physical and psychological rehabilitation for people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds who are blind or visually impaired.

Peperino West Side cosponsored the event and provided pizza to cap off the fun filled event.

New York (May 8, 2023)— On Saturday, May 6, students gathered for a morning of fun and excitement in Central Park, playing the adaptive sport of blind baseball. The participants ranged from ages six to thirteen and are students from Lighthouse Guild’s Youth Skills Program, which provides social and recreational services to legally blind children to help them build self-confidence. During the school year the students gather each month to participate in social and recreational activities including drama, physical education, yoga, technology, arts and crafts, and community field trips.