Blind Baseball Clinic in the Bronx Empowers High Schoolers

Introduction to Blind Baseball

• ⚾ A special blind baseball clinic was hosted in the Bronx for high school students at the New York Institute for Special Education.
• 🎯 The clinic, organized by members of the United States Blind Baseball Association (USBBA), introduced students to the basics of baseball, including throwing, hitting, and running bases.

The Adapted Game

• 👂 The adapted game is 100% audible, relying on a jingle in the ball for hitting and catching.
• 🗣️ Clapping and voice cues are used for throwing and running, emphasizing the importance of listening.
• 🥽 All participants are required to wear a blindfold to ensure the game is played by listening skills.

Student Experience and Teacher Insights

• 🏃 Senior Edwin Vidal found running to be the easiest skill, noting that other skills are very hard but he is up for the challenge.
• 🧑‍🏫 Adaptive physical education teacher Karina Cam highlighted that students train hard on throwing skills throughout the school year in adaptive PE classes.

Growing the Sport

• 🌱 The USBBA is launching a youth initiative program in New York City starting next spring, with sessions in Central Park.
• 🏆 The goal is to grow the sport and develop a larger pool of athletes for international competition.
• ✊ Edwin Vidal expressed that being blind does not mean they are less capable, embracing the opportunity to prove their abilities.

History and Future

• 🌍 Blind baseball was invented in Europe in 1993 and brought to the US in 2015 by USB President and CEO Ed Plumacher.
• 🎓 Edwin Vidal plans to pursue a degree in forensic psychology after his experience.