Sports

Why I love Buddy Baseball, By Susan Lanza

"As a parent I am always looking for ways to introduce new experiences to my children and more importantly how to get them out of their "me" world and think about the "us" world. When a program like Buddy Ball exists, that job becomes a little bit

 

 

By Susan Lanza

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As a parent I am always looking for ways to introduce new experiences to my children and more importantly how to get them out of their “me” world and think about the “us” world. When a program like Buddy Ball exists, that job becomes a little bit easier.

Buddy Baseball is a program under Madison Little League which works to introduce a non-competitive baseball experience for children with and without special needs. By “buddying” up children at all different developmental and social levels, valuable life lessons are learned by all. When kids high five each other you see enthusiasm for another’s good effort, when they help each other around the bases you see motivational skills emerging, and when a kid “bobbles” a ball in the field so the batter has an opportunity to get a hit you see kindness and understanding. As adults we are privileged to be witness to the beauty surrounding us on this typical Sunday afternoon at a Buddy Baseball game. 

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My children and I have been involved in this program for the last few years as players and coaches and have the pleasure of getting to know Bruce Conway, who runs the program. As a former Madison Little League “Man of The Year”, Bruce brings great enthusiasm, knowledge and kindness to the children, families and volunteers that work with him. He has grown the program from 25 players in 2007 to over 40 players in 2012 and as other towns have heard about our special Madison program, they continue to take the drive down the shoreline to join in on the fun.

Our buddies come in a variety of ages and experience (there is no job description). We continue to have high school students and baseball players involved as managers, coaches and buddies as well!  The experience for a buddy is just as powerful as it is for the players.

The commitment to play or coach Buddy Ball isn’t too intense, one day a week, Sunday at 3pm for 1 ½ hours.  Anyone who has witnessed even 15 minutes of a practice or game will tell you they left with a smile, after all, what is happier than watching children laughing, helping each other and feeling at the top their game?  Come join us.

For more information or to register to play/coach, please go to www.madisonctbaseball.com.

 

 

 

 


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