News

Special Needs Baseball season opens today

Audia Gilliam, Tiffany Ervin and Larry Bell

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 15, 2023

Special Needs Sports of WNC celebrates the ceremonial “first pitch” of the season on opening day of the baseball season at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Jackson Park.

The games are coordinated by Special Needs Sports of WNC and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Four Seasons, along with many other generous sponsors. Created by Donnie Jones in 2011, the organization allows special needs individuals and their families the opportunity to play baseball, basketball and cheerleading, and more recently, to even study martial arts.
Baseball games are played every Saturday April 15 through June 3 (weather permitting) at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Fields 8 and 9 in Jackson Park in Hendersonville. Opening ceremonies on Saturday, April 15, will be held at 9:30 a.m. and will include a prayer and national anthem presented by some of the athletes, as well as a ceremonial “first pitch.”
Four Seasons Rotary sponsors the program each year providing financial support for a complimentary “Snack Tent” with drinks and foods for all athletes and their families. Many Rotarians, like Past District Governor Tiffany Ervin of Spartanburg, enjoy the interaction on the field with participants, like running the bases, pushing wheelchairs and even playing in the dirt between innings. "No matter how you feel when you get up that morning, you always have a smile on your face as soon as you are greeted by the hugs and laughter of these athletes," said Ervin. "I've missed these kids this winter and can't wait to see them again."
More than 120 participants are already registered for this year’s eight teams, but anyone with special needs, regardless of age, ability, residence, or degree of disability, is invited to participate as a player. Contact Jones at 828-606-5691 or jonesdtl@yahoo.com for more information.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve never held a bat or thrown a ball before, we want anyone who has special needs and wants to participate to be a part of this event,” Jones said. "The rules are there are no rules...everyone bats and everyone scores!"
He also hopes spectators will show up to cheer for the athletes.

“There’s no admission cost and we guarantee it will be a rewarding experience," he said. "Seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter when they are on the ballfield, with their parents and siblings cheering them on…there’s nothing like it."

Medals are presented to MVPs at the conclusion of each game, and there's lots of excitement when there's an "inside the park" homerun.