Ready, Set, Pitch!

You’re 13. Every weekend from March to April is spent at the ball field. You’re practicing hitting this year, your dad even set up a spot for hitting drills in the back yard. You’re starting to think about what high school ball will be like, and beyond that, college.  

Then, you’re 17. You were just diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. You’ll have to stop driving soon. You won’t play high school baseball this spring. College ball is no longer an option, either. Sports, what you’ve worked for over the past 4 years, are over. You’re angry, scared, and sad.  

Fast-forward a decade or so. It’s a Saturday morning and you can smell freshly cut grass. It’s late April, so it’s still cold enough for the grass to be dewy. You know that will make the grass a little slippery; perfect for sliding into base. You’re on a soccer field, blindfolded. You’re first at bat. It’s silent, except for muffled, rhythmic beeping. Deep breath in, deep breath out. You hear your pitching coach say, “You and me, baby. You and me. Ready, set, pitch!” and in your head, you say “…and SWING!” For the first time since you were 17, you’re playing in a baseball tournament. The feeling of walking onto a field to play, the pre-game jitters, the camaraderie of teammates and their families, it’s all the same. The rules of the game are a little bit different, but it’s baseball, nonetheless. For the first time since you were 17, you feel like an athlete.  

For so many adults who are blind or have low vision, sports have felt off-limits. Some lose their ability to play regular sports as their vision deteriorates, and some never get the chance to participate. Thanks to generous support from TSET, NewView Oklahoma has been able to lean into healthy initiatives like adaptive sports. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to host a beep baseball tournament in Norman in the Spring of 2024, with teams coming from as far as New Jersey to play!  

The impact sports have on children and their development is well-documented, from boosting confidence to instilling values of hard work and collaboration and creating a child’s first social network. Benefits of staying active in adulthood are also well-documented, especially for those with preexisting health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or disabilities that might cause them to be more sedentary, like having low or no vision. It has been a privilege to see the impact adaptive sports has made on our own employees and other members of the community we serve.  

Oklahoma hosted the Beep Baseball World Series in 2023, where NewView got our first taste of what a beep baseball tournament is like. From logistics around lodging and transportation to rules, point systems, and beyond; we learned a lot. And learned it was something we would like to replicate. From there, we set our sights on hosting a tournament of our own. There was a general feeling of support from everyone involved when we began the planning process. Sure, games get competitive, but at the end of the day, or the beginning of tournament planning, it’s one huge support system and we couldn’t have accomplished it without the advice from the beep ball community.  

When we announced the 2024 Sooner State Spring Invitational, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Teams from all over were eager to sign up to participate. By the time the tournament got closer, we knew we were starting a tradition. The Sooner State Spring Invitational was the first time that NewView pediatric client, Gabriel, took to the pitch. It was his first experience with team sports. His parents cheered him on from the sidelines, and repeatedly told NewView staff members how special this was to them, and to Gabriel.  

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By providing increased access to adaptive sports, we’re not just creating core memories for kids like Gabriel. We’re creating a healthier, more inclusive Oklahoma. We’re challenging barriers for people living with disabilities to have access to enriching programs that help them build their village, pick up hobbies, and not feel so isolated. These are all factors that contribute to more positive outcomes. Thanks largely to TSET for helping us ramp up our adaptive sports programming, and to every organization and individual across Oklahoma who has supported by sponsoring, volunteering, or sharing the word about adaptive sports, we are proud to be creating opportunities for Oklahomans who are blind or have low vision to live their most independent and empowered lives. Ready, Set, Pitch!


Give the Gift of Services and adaptive sports

Our services and programming are made possible by a generous community of donors. If you feel compelled to give to help more Oklahomans who are blind, we would be so grateful.

are you in need of services?

If you, or someone you love, is in need of low vision services – NewView Oklahoma is here to help. Please complete the self-referral form below and our team will reach out.

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