A website has been created for adding pictures and for game updates.  Go to Buddy Baseball and join.  You will receive email updates about games and be able to add pictures and comments.

 

What is buddy baseball?

Buddy Baseball is a sports program that provides opportunities for athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities. 

Each player is given a "buddy" to play with them.  The buddies are there to assist the player, not play the game for them.

The Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society teamed up with the Breakfast Optimist Club of Paris in 2006 to start the area's first baseball league for youth with disabilities.  The program began as an outlet for manhy of the children with Down syndrome in the community to play an organized sport, to promote physical activity and dexterity, and to feel like other children who play the game.  Now played in the spring with the other divisions of Dixie Youth baseball at Woodall Field in Paris, it is open to all area children with disabilities who wish to participate.

Benefits:

  • Physical Activity
  • Socialization
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Opportunity to mainstream into other divisions of play
  • Opportunity to learn the fundamentals of baseball including teamwork and sportsmanship
  • Acceptance as an athlete rather than a child with a disability

 

Information for the player.

All children in Kindergarten through High School, with intellectual and physical disabilites, are encouraged to participate.

Each player will have a companion or "buddy" assigned to him/her for games.

A player's parent or guardian MUST be present at all games.

Play will consist of three innings or 45 minutes of play.

No score may be kept during the game and no outs are counted.

Every player will bat and play defensively.

Buddy Baseball players wear the same type of uniforms and safety equipment as other league players.

2012 Season Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information for Buddies.

Buddies are what make our program a success.  Thank you so much for your interest.  Below you will find some general information about buddy requirements and forms to read.

Buddies must be a minimum of 12 years of age by March 26th.

Buddies are encourged not to play the game for the players but to assist them in the game.

Buddies can volunteer to work with a particular child or help out in the dug out or in the outfield.

Buddies must sign a liability waiver form before participating in the program. Please print out the form below.

You will also find two other forms below.  The expectations of buddies and the guidelines for buddies.  Please read these.

If you are having trouble with any of the forms below.  Please contact the REACH center at 903-783-1922.

2012 Over 18 buddy Form
2012 under 18 buddy Form
Expectations of Buddies
Guidelines for Buddies

We would like to thank our sponsors for helping make Buddy Baseball possible:

Toyota of Paris
Paris Snax
Paris Police Officers Association

 
 
 

Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit support organization serving northeast Texas, southwest Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma.

903.783.1922                                            info@rrvdss.org                                           877.273.4045