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The NBBA patch. Starts with a red outer ring. A blue ring is inside of the outer layer. In the the next layer, the words National Beep Baseball Association starts on a clock face at the 6 position with National and moves clockwise. Beep begins at the 9 position, Baseball between 11 and 1 on the clock face and Association between the 2 and 5 positions. The letters are a combination of red and blue. In the center, of the patch is a white ball with the letters "NBBA" in print and braille.

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Behind the Scenes on Saturday Morning Beep Baseball, Spring Training, Home Runs and Mentorship

March 31, 2019 by Justin Romack Leave a Comment

March brings spring, bluer skies and beep baseball season for many teams around the league. Take30 is following the stories you want to hear about as teams are ramping up for Tulsa later this year.

In this episode, we bounce from Indiana to Illinois to Texas as we talk to players about why the game of beep baseball matters most in their world. In the March episode of Take30 you’ll hear all about:

  • Darnell Booker of the Indy Thunder talks about the energy and emotions wrapped up in playing deep into the series … and taking the field on Saturday morning.
  • Richie Schultz takes us into the batting cages with the Chicago Comets as they get in some indoor work.
  • Ron Jordan of the Tyler Tigers talks about his power stroke.
  • Hillary Oswald with the BCS Outlaws shares some of the work that goes into getting a young team off the ground and what it means to balance personal growth and mentorship.

If there’s a story you want to hear on Take30, remember to drop us a line at podcast@nbba.org. Don’t forget to like, share and comment – and we’ll see you in April!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Great Texas Shootout on target for breast cancer, blindness awareness

September 11, 2018 by Justin Romack Leave a Comment

Darius Sterling with the Austin Blackhawks wipes out a base as the turf comes up beneath his feet.With the excitement of Eau Claire and the 2018 World Series now a fleeting memory for most, players and teams across the country are headed for the bleak, off-season months, where nary a beep or buzz is heard until spring.

But thanks to the hard work and compassion of Larry and Rosie Reed with the Tyler Tigers, teams from across Texas will head north on October 13 for the 10th annual Great Texas Shootout breast cancer and blindness awareness event. A staple of fall beep baseball for teams across the Lone Star state, the #8 Tyler Tigers will play host to the #2 Bayou City Heat, #3 San Antonio Jets, #6 Austin Blackhawks and the Lonestar Road Runners in a weekend committed to competition, comradery and commemoration.

Rosie Reed remembers scheduling their first community event over a decade ago, which was initially only held as a fundraiser and community outreach for the Tigers.

“It started off really small,” said Rosie Reed. “When you’re out their raising money for the World Series, nobody knows what beep baseball is. We wanted a way to show our community what this game was all about.”

It was not until its third year that other teams started showing up to the Great Texas Shootout. Rosie Reed remembers when Bobby Lakey and the Lonestar Road Runners made their trek eastward to participate in this exciting new tournament.

“Most teams are starting to hang up their cleats and call it a year,” said Rosie Reed. “As it started growing, we were excited to give our Texas teams another chance to get on the field before it cools off around here.”

Zane Jackson, Haley Stephens and Abigail Junek with the BCS Outlaws sport their pink jerseys while sitting on the sidelines.The Reeds knew quickly they wanted their event to be more than just another beep baseball game. October is breast cancer awareness month, which is a time to honor those who have battled with breast cancer, the third most common form of cancer and the second most common cause of death in women. The month also features White Cane Safety Day on October 15, which recognizes the independence and contributions of Americans with visual impairments.

In their work with Horizon Industries, the Reeds have a co-worker who is a breast cancer survivor. Rosie Reed said, “We wanted to honor her strength, because it takes more than what most of us have to battle something like that.”

“October just seems to be the month we recognize people who are strong,” said Rosie Reed. “The fight people have in them to overcome the odds and what the world says about them, it’s just something we wanted to celebrate with this event.”

The Great Texas Shootout has grown since its humble beginnings ten years ago. With teams from across the state, to reservations for a block of rooms in a local hotel, to bigger fields and facilities to house the festivities, Rosie Reed said “putting something on like this would be impossible without support of volunteers, the community and our team.”

“We will have food, entertainment, baseball and encouraging speakers to share the day with us,” said Rosie Reed. “We want people to consider what life is like for people who are dealing with things in our families, our jobs and our communities.”

Blake Boudreaux, president of the National Beep Baseball Association and 2018 defensive most valuable player with the #2 Bayou City Heat, said the Great Texas Shootout has always been a special and significant event for him as a player, league representative and two-time cancer survivor. Boudreaux said he knows “firsthand the battle many of our loved ones have to fight against this dreaded disease.”

“My cancer was the cause of my vision loss,” said Boudreaux. “I have dedicated many years of my life volunteering and raising funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of blindness.”

Boudreaux is excited to participate in this year’s tournament, and said “this is truly a family-friendly event that not only gives us all a chance to reflect and learn, but to compete in a sport we love.”

“Beep baseball is not simply a sport,” said Boudreaux. “It is an opportunity to change lives.”

Ozzy Calamaco with the Lonestar Road Runners with pink hair sits cross-legged on the sidelines while watching a game.For the Tyler Tigers, this is another chance for the team to come together and work as a family. Tim Chappell, a defensive mainstay with the Tigers, participated in the tournament for the first time in 2017, saying it was “surreal to see all of those who overcame their cancer.”

“These people literally defeated death,” said Chappell. “I want people to remember why they’re there. When you see these survivors, go up and talk to them and let them know you care.”

Ron Jordan, a power hitter with the Tigers, also has a special connection to the Great Texas Shootout. Jordan’s stepmother, Erika, is a breast cancer survivor who was recognized during last year’s tournament.

Jordan, who was not playing beep baseball at the time, remembers the first time Larry Reed invited him to attend the Great Texas Shootout. Jordan said “it was awesome to watch these guys hit the ball and smash into the base. It was like a mix of baseball and football.”

“This tournament happens because of the spirit and strength of this team,” said Jordan. “Larry and Mama Rose work hard to put this thing on, and it means the world to those who come out and get involved.”

Rosie Reed is constantly reminding herself and her team that this event is special because breast cancer and blindness impact so many.

“You never know when it could affect you or your loved ones,” said Rosie Reed. “With this event, we want to impact people’s lives. Just when they think life is over because of cancer or blindness, you can show them that life goes on.”

Rosie Reed wants to thank the Tyler community, local businesses and the Lions Club for their generosity and support through the years. She is also grateful to Horizon Industries, who offers ongoing support to the Tyler Tigers, and who will also be hosting the White Cane Safety Day activities alongside the tournament weekend.

Other teams across the league are showing their solidarity in support of those who have endured breast cancer. Brandon Chesser of the Austin Blackhawks recently announced the team would be selling t-shirts for $20 to show support and raise awareness of the disease. Those interested in purchasing one of these shirts can contact Chesser directly via Facebook.

For more details about the 10th annual Great Texas Shootout, including location and a schedule of activities,, you can visit the Facebook event page for the tournament or contact Larry and Rosie Reed by email at tyler@nbba.org.

Filed Under: tournaments, Uncategorized Tagged With: Tyler Tigers

Panthers on the prowl as SoCal gets new beep baseball team

August 28, 2018 by Justin Romack Leave a Comment

The San Gabriel Valley Panthers logo features a fierce black panther encompassed in a red circle with the text "Panthers" written above it.It’s time for blind athletes in southern California to lace up their cleats and step into the box.

With the formation of the San Gabriel Valley Panthers, and the dream of many more teams on the way, Darren Keepers is working to ensure blind and visually impaired athletes across California have an outlet for competition and comradery for many years to come.

  • Blind baseball team keeps their ears on the ball. South Pasadena News (August 16, 2018)
  • South Pasadena blind man has vision for a beep ball team. – KTTV (August 17, 2018)

Having lost his sight at the age of 5, Keepers is a huge baseball fan and loves the opportunity for athletic competition. He started the Panthers with an email to the league’s outreach team in January 2018, and only a few months later, the team held their first practice on May 2.

“Southern California lacks most of the sports for the blind,” says Keepers. “I really think SoCal has a huge void to fill, so my group is planning to add as many as 10 teams in California including the Stingrays.”

Now, almost nine months later, the Panthers have seven consistent players, a pitcher and a couple of dedicated volunteers. Their biggest challenge has been finding a convenient location to consistently hold practice.

“In SoCal, we can practice year round,” says Keepers, “The main challenge has been locating a field. Los Angeles is not spread out like other Beep Ball areas. We have parks, but they are constantly being used for Little League, Soccer and other sports.”

Keepers hopes the team will soon find a location to hold practices on Saturdays, which should help draw a larger crowd of players and volunteers. The team hopes to send 12 players and eight volunteers to the 2019 World Series next July.

“Our hope is to build out the California league, so we can compete a few times a month. Playing other teams competitively, will get our players ready for the World Series and other regional tournaments. We want to raise as much awareness of our sport we can and hopefully SoCal will host a World Series in the next 3 to 5 years,” says Keepers.

For more information about the San Gabriel Panthers, you can like the team on Facebook, follow the team on Instagram or send email to the team at panthers@nbba.org.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: San Gabriel Valley Panthers

Glenn Hopkins Invitational Roundup

May 28, 2018 by Justin Romack Leave a Comment

 

Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted in making this tournament happen. thank you to all the teams who participated.
Scores from games at the glen Hopkins Invitational in college Station Texas, May 25-27, 2018.

 

Day 1, Game 1:

BCS Outlaws 8 – Lonestar 5
Bayou City Heat 19 – Austin Blackhawks 10

Day 1, Game 2:

San Antonio Jets 16 – BCS Outlaws 7
Bayou City Heat 10 – Lonestar Roadrunners 7

Day 1, Game 3:

San Antonio Jets 16 – Bayou City Heat 15
Austin Blackhawks 4 – Lonestar Roadrunners 3

Day 2, Game 1:

Bayou City Heat 11 – BCS Outlaws 3

Day 2, Game 2:

San Antonio Jets 15 – Austin Blackhawks 12

Day 2, Game 3:

Austin Blackhawks 15 – BCS Outlaws: 14 (7 Innings)

 

Visit the BCS Outlaws summary on their website.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Austin Blackhawks, Bayou City Heat, BCS Outlaws, Lonestar Road Runners, San Antonio Jets

“Teaching Kids The Basics”

April 17, 2018 by Justin Romack Leave a Comment

Children with visual impairments take part in “beep baseball with MSOE

 

School aged children with vision loss and in association with Vision Works, provided the learning opportunity for children with Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).

Read the full article below and watch the video:
Teaching Kids The Basics, “Beep Baseball”

‘Teaching kids the basics:’ Children with visual impairments take part in ‘beep baseball’ with MSOE players

 

‘Teaching kids the basics:’ Children with visual impairments take part in ‘beep baseball’ with MSOE players

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Free Eye Exams for Guide or Service dogs

April 3, 2018 by Justin Romack Leave a Comment

Have a Guide or Service dog?

Read and identify if you can obtain a free eye exam during the month of May for your companion.

Read here for information about free eye exam for guide or service dogs.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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An organization fostering competition and comradery that equips and empowers blind players to stand victorious in all aspects of sport and society.

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