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Second-year medical student Jensen Hammons serves as a buddy to Carson during a game. Photo courtesy of Helen Joyce Photography. |
The program pairs kids with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities with volunteer “buddies” to engage in physical activities. The goal of Buddy Ball is to create a supportive and adaptive environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate, enjoy the game, and develop skills.
“The most rewarding part of the experience is just watching the kids have fun and be active,” said Erin Powell, a second-year medical student. “It's also great to see how the kids interact with each other and watch them learn what it means to work as a team.”
Powell and her classmates Joseph Tucker and Chip Ogles coach one of the teams in the league. Second-year student Jensen Hammons and first-year student Will Carothers also volunteer with the league as buddies.
This year, there are four teams and 62 participants on the roster. The teams usually play one or two games a week, and they try to get in extra practice during the week. During games, the coaches “buddy up” the young athletes with volunteers, keep a running sheet for the batting order, pitch to the kids, and, most importantly, ensure everyone is having a good time. Volunteers sit with their buddies for the entirety of games and help them bat, run bases, and chase down balls.
“I think these kids serve as a reminder to all of us that you can do anything you set your mind to, and all it takes is a positive attitude,” Powell said.
The students heard about Buddy Ball at the club fair during their M1 orientation. “All of us love kids and enjoy being active,” Powell said, “so being a part of a club where we could combine those two passions was really a no-brainer.”
The baseball field, located at the recently opened Miracle League of West Mobile: Schmidt Family Park, is the first of its kind in Mobile County. It features a synthetic rubberized surface to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices, with double-wide base paths for extra maneuverability.
The coaches said they are always looking for more medical students to volunteer with the Buddy Ball program. For more information or to volunteer, join the Buddy Ball GroupMe.
