LONE STAR ROADRUNNERS BEEP BASEBALL
The Laurel Wheeler Foundation is proud to announce our newest partner, LoneStar RoadRunners!
The LoneStar RoadRunnes are a competitive blind baseball team made up of athletes from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Our email is lonestar.roadrunners@gmail.com
Community Engagement
The LoneStar RoadRunners have presented active demonstrations at sports camps (Camp Ability’s) Summer Camps (Camp Lighthouse), local White Cane Awareness Celebrations, Sports Extravaganza, Braille Challenge, Lions Club gatherings, adapted egg hunts, and more. The RoadRunners strive to empower its community by brining awareness to adapted sports for the blind and low vision.
Community Partners
The LoneStar RoadRunners partner and are affiliated with The Laurel Wheeler Foundation, Texas Association of Blind Athletes (TABA), Texas Blind Soccer, and the National Federation of the Blind of Texas Fort Worth Chapter. We are registered with the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA). The LoneStar RoadRunners work with Teachers of the Visually Impaired Tvi’s and Orientation and Mobility Specialists O&M’s in region 10 and region 11 for advisement and to connect with their students.
We are a team that is willing to partner with other groups to foster community growth and to strengthen each other in partnering. The team has done demonstrations at community events for children and adults. In addition, the team has participated in scrimmages against firefighters, military, and other groups allowing people the experience of playing the game. Further creating awareness of adapted sports and blindness.
Connecting with Community Partners
National Association of Blind Athletes (NBBA) www.nbba.org
Laurel Wheeler Foundation www.laurelwheelerfoundation.org
Texas Association of Blind Athletes (TABA)
Texas Blind Soccer https://texasblindsoccer.com/
National Federation of the Blind of Texas (NFBTX) https://texasblindsoccer.com/
White Cane Day of North Texas whitecanedayofnorthtexas@gmail.com
What is Beep Baseball
Beep Baseball is the equivalent of the American pastime sport of baseball with specific modifications made to allow the blind and visually impaired to enjoy the sport.
How to Play
Each team consists of a pitcher, a catcher, spotters, and players to bat and play the field.
All players, batter, and fielders, are blindfolded to ensure that all players are on an equal playing field.
Out of all the players, the pitcher, catcher, and spotters are the only positions that allow those visually able.
Spotter- A visually abled teammate that directs blindfolded players on the field
Runs are scored when the pitcher throws the beep ball and the batter, who is always blindfolded, lands a hit. The batter needs only to touch the base that beeps before the opposing team finds and grabs the ball.
There is only a first and a third base.
The fielding team locates the ball by listening for the beep. During this time, spotters provide minimal vocal assistance.
A one-pound ball that emits a beeping sound while in play.
Two bases in the positions of 1st and 3rd that stand four feet tall and emits a buzzing sound.
Bases have a square foam base on the bottom. A long cylindrical foam peace is the top of the base. A round speaker is placed in the top half of the foam cylinder base that faces the batter’s plate. A base coordinator at the time of a hit determines which base the player will run to. (Only one buzzes at a time)
The base operator toggles at random the switch to turn on either first or third base.
Benefits of Beep Base Baseball
Allows O & M Skills to be practiced through the sport itself and traveling.
Builds confidence in players and volunteers alike
Promotes self – worth, social growth, and teamwork skills
Builds stronger communication and relationship kills
Networking through professional and personal connections
Mentorship opportunities
Community partnerships and community awareness
Younger Players
Rules are modified to fit the age group with rules such as a base only being set at 60 feet opposed to the regular 100 and batters hitting off a T.
Volunteers
Beep Baseball is an adapted sport modified for people who are blind or low vision. The players can carry out many volunteer positions to make the game happen. However, to practice and play scrimmages and games volunteers are still necessary. All skills and abilities can be beneficial to help the program be successful and empower athletes of all ages in the community.
Volunteer Opportunities: pitchers, catchers, spotters, base operators, batting & running coach, walking guides, potential transportation providers (if someone might be in your immediate area), video/ photographer for social media and website updates, resource investigating, and field scouting, etc.
Opportunities will be assigned based on skills and interests. All abilities and skills are an asset to us and appreciated. We will work with community groups for community service hours.