Beep Baseball allows students in Dubuque who are visually impaired to participate in sports

Dubuque, Iowa – On Tuesday, at Dubuque Senior High School, batters took the field, but they weren’t looking for the pitch. Instead, they were listening for the ball.

A game of Beep Baseball, which is baseball played for the blind and visually handicapped, was held at Senior High School.

“It takes the essence of baseball and then—just twist it and turn it a little bit, and it’s approachable,” stated Susan Rolinger, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IESBVI) Director of Expanded Learning.

Players in Beep Baseball are blinded, so everyone may participate, even if they are sight-challenged.

The ball used in the sport beeps. After hitting a single off the tee, players must listen to which of the two bases they should run to.

An outfielder is out if they touch the ball before the runner makes contact with one of the bases.

Students from the Dubuque Community School District, who were assisted by IESBVI and staff, were the players on Tuesday. Ryder Drapeau and Tayler Soppe, two 15-year-old students, were among them. When they were eight or nine years old, they both claimed to have learnt how to play at camp.

Of sure, it’s difficult at first, but everything is difficult at the beginning. However, it’s really easy to get used to once you do,” Soppe remarked.

“Back then, we were rather young. It was quite fascinating. “I believe I once collided with a fountain,” Drapeau remarked.

Fortunately, there were no foundations present on the field on Tuesday when children played and observed October 15, White Cane Safety Day.

According to Rolinger, “For people with visual impairments finding their way through the world, the white cane is kind of a universal symbol.” “White Cane Safety Day honors the independence of individuals with visual impairments.”

The children who were playing declared their desire for equality, enjoyment, and independence.

“We ought to be granted the same opportunities as everyone else. And there’s always a way to bring things together,” Soppe remarked.

Rolinger continued, “Kids who are blind or visually impaired have full access to America’s game.”