Wow! What an uplifting event! Beautiful Lives Project’s Bryce Weiler, who happens to be blind, flew into San Diego from the Midwest to host this opportunity for disabled persons of all developmental levels to learn softball skills for an afternoon on Monday, July 11, 2022.
TripleCrownSports covered most of the planning, but SDULC did 4 hours of community outreach to increase participation prior to the event. Amateur Athletic Union Fast Pitch teams and their coaches provided the expertise to teach the eager participants the basic skills of baseball: fielding grounders, catching throws, throwing the ball, running the bases, and batting. The AAU teams were running the bases behind the participants and cheering all the way. Truly enjoyable to watch participants getting into their roles and grinning from ear to ear.
Participants, volunteers, and spectators made an estimated total crowd of 250. While the event was only 2 hours long, Mike Brandenburg arrived an hour early at the Santee Sportsplex to prep and stayed an hour afterwards to ensure the fields were as pristine as when we arrived. Services included aiding Bryce as he navigated the area, coordinating the 5 (yes five, not a typo) TV channels covering the event, announcing field assignments, being water boy and equipment coordinator as needed, and promoting the LIONS and Encinitas Blind Surf Event at every opportunity.
It was a great day serving the disabled community. Hoping to get involved earlier in the planning evolution next year and hope Lions will show up in force.
Here is a link to the NBC TV coverage. Also see BeautifulLives.org for more information or to donate.
FOR NEXT YEAR: increase participant signups from 40 to 60; increase Lions participation in event planning and execution, don’t want to be the solo Lion there.
