Sunday, June 25, 2023–12:45 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Community leaders and local celebrities teamed up with players with the Alternative Baseball Organization on Saturday for the Rome-Floyd Community Celebrity Game at Legion Field at Heritage Park.
Alternative Baseball is the brainchild of Taylor Duncan, a young man on the autism spectrum, who always wanted to play traditional sports growing up. However, he was often denied opportunities due to the commonly low perception of what one with autism can and cannot accomplish. With his positive experiences in baseball and slow-pitch softball across the Southeast region, he wanted to give opportunities to other teens and adults just like him to play in a traditional baseball setting free of judgment.
“It’s all about promoting community integration of our players into the greater community,” Duncan said. We have a couple of people in the [Rome] area who have always wanted to try Alternative Baseball, but never had a coach in their area.”
Alternative Baseball provides physical and social skills growth through the hands-on authentic experience in all practices and games. Some of the players have since taken their skills to apply to other areas in life off the baseball diamond, including employment.
“Things like communications skills, learning how to work together as a team, and learning how to be a good sport whether you win or lose,” he said. “Those core and important skills alongside the critical thinking skills that are required for strategy during such a contest are needed for success off of the diamond.”
Players can be of any experience to participate. Games are played using the classic version of the Professional Baseball Rules. Many games are played between 7-9 innings. Players pitch and catch behind the plate in Alternative Baseball.
Saturday’s game featured Duncan, Floyd County Sheriff Dave Roberson, Gregory and Gaberial Miller (The Blazin’ Brothers), and Rome’s own Shawn Treglown. Rome Braves mascot “Romey” threw out the first pitch.
“We want to do a good job with this,” Duncan added. “We hope to find a volunteer so we can license our program out to bring the program up to Floyd County on a permanent basis.”
Since its founding in 2016 in Dallas, Georgia, the ABO has expanded to 21 cities, with Chicago being the latest addition. It has been featured on ESPN and NBC’s Today Show.
You can learn more about the organization at alternativebaseball.org.
