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Alternative Baseball

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(Redirected from Alternative Baseball Organization) U.S. nonprofit organization
Alternative Baseball
AbbreviationABO
FoundedJanuary 5, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-01-05)
FounderTaylor C. Duncan
Type501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization
Location
Region United States
Key peopleTaylor C. Duncan (founder/chief executive officer)
Cindy Duncan (secretary/treasurer)
Dr. Roger Garret (chairman of the board)
Floyd Hillman (board member)
AffiliationsWBSC Americas
Websitealternativebaseball.org

Alternative Baseball, officially Alternative Baseball Organization Inc. (ABO), is an American developmental program and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Georgia, United States. It provides year-round baseball training, exhibitions, and activities for teens and adults (ages 15+) with autism and other disabilities throughout the United States.

Founder

In 2016, Taylor Duncan founded the Alternative Baseball Organization in Dallas, Georgia.

As a child, Duncan was denied opportunities to participate in sports due to his autism, some coaches deeming his disability a safety issue. Duncan said there were fewer opportunities to play baseball the older he got. He saw the need for more services for people with disabilities to play sports and continue learning life skills. Duncan explains that after high school, opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sports can completely disappear.

The First two teams in Alternative Baseball History

Duncan wanted to give teens and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play in a traditional baseball setting free of judgment, and founded the Alternative Baseball Organization. The organization focuses on developing physical and social skills through hands-on experience in all games—using Major League Baseball rules—and practices. Some players have since applied their skills to other areas of their lives, including the workplace.

Rules

Players can have any or no experience in baseball to participate. The baseball games are played using the baseball rules published by Major League Baseball. Many games are played between 7-9 innings. Players pitch and catch behind the plate in Alternative Baseball. The only adaptation is the type of ball used; it is larger and softer to prevent injuries.

See also

References

  1. "Associated Members of the WBSC". World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Alternative Baseball Organization, Inc. | Autism Speaks". 2021-12-07. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  3. "Alternative Baseball". Alternative Baseball. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  4. ^ "Alternative Baseball: Taylor Duncan Is Giving Special Needs Players a League to Call Their Own". Sports Illustrated. 2019-04-12. Archived from the original on 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  5. "The Alternative Baseball League provides playing experience for athletes with special needs". ABC7 San Francisco. 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  6. ^ "'Just want a chance': Man with autism starting alternative baseball league in suburbs". WGN-TV. 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  7. ^ "FAQ". Alternative Baseball. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
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