ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Taylor Duncan was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old.
The now 24-year-old's diagnosis didn’t stop him from wanting to play real baseball with a wooden bat, a grassy field, and pitchers throwing heat.
His autism did stop people from letting him play.
“Everyone deserves a chance to place traditional baseball,” says Duncan.
To right wrongs and fulfill that lifelong dream of playing the game he loves, the Georgia-based man started the Alternative Baseball Organization.
The nonprofit program is already in 14 states. Now Taylor wants to get a league going in the Tampa Bay area.
People with autism and special needs, ages 15 and up, play traditional rules baseball. Batters use wooden bats on a regulation fiel with real umpires.
There are no “buddies” helping out in the field, although all skill levels are welcome.
A slightly bigger softer ball is used over the course of a 7-inning game. Balls and strikes are called, but there isn’t a lot of arguing.
Taylor needs managers, coaches, players and volunteers to kickstart a league in the Tampa Bay area.
If you are interested, contact the Alternative Baseball Organization.
