By: Maliek Watkins, Contributing Writer
Yes, you read right, Beep Ball is the name of the game. In the wake of Disability awareness week, Saint Leo University has made a wonderful line up of events to encourage embracing our brothers and sisters who have some form of disability. The week was packed with tabling events, games and even guest speakers, all to raise awareness about those who have disabilities but still try to live a normal and active life.
On Tuesday, Oct 21, Saint Leo had its annual Beep Ball game. The concept of the game is derived from the sports of baseball and softball. The game is designed to allow those with an impairment of sight to enjoy the sport of baseball like any other person who has sight. The way the game is played, is by using a softball with the beeper installed in it that beeps repeatedly so that those who cannot see to be able hear the ball.
Though the game usually has a pitcher who throws the ball to the person who will be batting, this game version of the game, there is no pitcher. Instead the ball is placed on a stand so the batter can hit it off it. The batter is blindfolded to give them a true experience of what it is like to play the game like those who are visually impaired. They must listen for the position of the ball then try to hit. Once they hit the ball, they must listen for who is calling them from one of two bases, one on the right and one on the left on them and then they run in the direction of the base that is calling their name.
The week was packed with tabling events, games and even guest speakers, all to raise awareness about those who have disabilities but still try to live a normal and active life.
The beep ball game had an immense turn out by students, mostly those who are on the school’s baseball and softball teams. The players expressed how fun it was to play their sport in a way that was different from what they were used to. It gave them an understanding of what people who are visually impaired go through. It made them appreciate that they are able to see but made them happy that those who cannot see can still have fun like everyone else.
The directors of the event were Paige Ramsey-Hamacher, Executive Director of Multicultural and International Services Office (MISO) and Michael Bailey, Director of Accessibility Services. The two departments partnered together encourage what would be called a statement of inclusion. As many would see people who have a disability as a limitation, Ramsey-Hamacher and Bailey would describe it as something different. They spoke on how important the event was because it showed how much people can do even though they may not have the same accessibilities as other may have such as sight. With beep ball, one can have fun and keep active even without being able to see.
Attendees of Saint Leo University’s Beep Ball, part of the Disability awareness week.
It is needless to say that event was a success based on the turn out and all the joy and laughter on everyone’s faces while playing the game. The two departments did a wonderful job of raising awareness with this event in a way that can resonate with everyone who played the game blindfolded. There is no need to exclude anyone from enjoying something, just need to find another way to include them and that is what beep ball is all about.
