Opportunity League OPPORTUNITY LEAGUE INAGURAL YEAR 32 children and more than 50 volunteers signed up to be a part of the inaugural year for the Opportunity League, a baseball team created for children from any area, ages 4-21 with a mental or physical disability. The league is a program offered by Easter Seals Pediatric Therapy. Easter Seals partnered with the City of Pelham Parks and Recreation to help coordinate the players, schedule games and have use of the Fungo Hollar Baseball Park. “It was truly amazing to see how many people wanted to be a part of this program.” stated Kelli Keith, Director of Marketing and Development for Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area. The league utilized volunteers for each player to have a “buddy” on the field with them at all times to assist with hitting, running and fielding. “Once we got the word out about the league, the phone was ringing of the hook; people from all over the Birmingham Metro Area from all walks of life, some with no children, attorneys, business owners and parents of teens that wanted to volunteer.” said Keith. The local business community also showed their support in a big way. Hibbett Sporting Goods donated a glove to every player; Sports Clips donated a free haircut to players and coaches; Barons Baseball donated a ticket to every player for their May 22nd game, Coke donated product for the end of season awards cookout; Photographer Tommy Gilbert donated a $15 team photo package to every player and DocuPak donated t-shirts for the volunteers. “This was an amazing first season,” said Billy Crandall, Pelham Parks and Recreation Director. “It’s so nice to come out here on Saturday mornings and see these children playing their hearts out and the parents and community enjoying every minute and cheering for every child; this is what its all about, no competition, just kids being kids and having a great time playing baseball.” A special thank you to the volunteer coaches for your commitment to improving the lives of children with disabilities: Beau Anderson, Perry Moody, Matthew Ingram, Eric Wadsworth, Aaron Knight, Donna Montgomery, Daniel Holmes and Kayla Kusiak.
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City of Pelham Mayor Don Murphy presented the Opportunity League Board Chair Kelli Keith and Team Coach Donna Montgomery with a proclamation naming MArch 27th Opportunity League Day.
SPECIAL NEEDS BASEBALL LEAGUE CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area is proud to announce they have partnered with the City of Pelham to create a baseball team for children with special needs. The Opportunity League will be open to children from any area, ages 5 – 21 with a mental or physical disability. In October, Easter Seals Director of Marketing and Development Kelli Keith approached Recreation Director Billy Crandall and Mayor Don Murphy about creating the Opportunity League. “Pelham has a wonderful reputation for being a family oriented city that values the idea of keeping children involved in extracurricular activities.” said Kelli Keith when asked why they chose to partner with Pelham. The league will utilize volunteers, parents and friends as each player will have a “buddy” on the field with them at all times to assist with hitting, running and fielding. “It’s our responsibility to do things like this,” stated Mayor Murphy “and I’m looking forward to being a volunteer.” Parents will be able to sign their children up through the same registration process already in place with the city of Pelham. In keeping with the mission of Easter Seals, no child will be turned away regardless of their ability to pay. A scholarship program will be put into place to assist families with the cost of registration if they can not afford it. “I think it’s going to be great for the community, said Billy Crandall.” For more information please call, Kelli Keith at 314-2187 or Billy Crandall at 620-6426
Opportunity League
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