FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 16, 2024
2024 BEEP BASEBALL WORLD SERIES TAKES PLACE IN ST. CHARLES NEXT WEEK
Former Major League baseball player Bengie Molina to throw out first pitch at championship game
ST. LOUIS, MO – Local nonprofit organizations, MindsEye and Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis, are partnering with the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) to host the 2024 Beep Baseball World Series July 21-28 at Slyman Bros SLYSA Complex in St. Charles, MO. The event, which draws athletes and fans from all corners of the country, promises an exhilarating showcase of skill and sportsmanship as teams compete for the championship title.
Beep Baseball, a unique adaptation of the traditional sport designed for the visually impaired, has gained immense popularity for its inclusivity and thrilling gameplay. The sport, also known as beepball, is played with a modified beeping ball and bases that emit a sound to assist the players. While beepball is designed for individuals who are blind or partially sighted, people of all visual abilities can play since each athlete is blindfolded except for the sighted pitcher and outfield spotters.
The World Series serves as the pinnacle of competitive Beep Baseball, bringing together more than 20 teams including Atlanta Chaos (GA), Austin Blackhawks (TX), Bayou City Heat (Houston, TX), BCS Outlaws (College Station, TX), Boston Renegades (MA), Boston Strong (MA), Braille Bandits of Palm Beach County (FL), BSO Philly Fire (PA), Chicago Comets (IL), Cleveland Scrappers (OH), Gateway Archers (St. Louis’ home team), Houston Hurricanes (TX), Indy Edge (IN), Indy Thunder (IN), Minnesota Millers (MN), New Jersey Titans (NJ), Northeast Divas (All Women Team), Oklahoma Lookouts (OK), SGV Panthers (CA), Sirens (St. Louis’ All Women Team), Southwest Bombshells (All Women Team), and Tyler Tigers (TX).
St. Louis’ team, the Gateway Archers, is looking to secure their first championship win after securing a 16-3 record during the regular season making them the second-best in the league. The team, founded in 2020 by MindsEye, includes 15 players composed chiefly of home-grown players from across St. Louis and the Metro East. One player, Ethan Johnston, will be inducted into the NBBA’s Beepball Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 27 at the post-game awards ceremony. Johnston has been playing for 15 years.
The Opening Ceremony will take place at SLYSA on Monday, July 22 at 4 p.m. and will include a welcome from St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer. The national anthem will be performed by Navy Petty Officer First Class (ret.) Generald Wilson who has performed “The Star Spangled Banner” at nearly 1,000 events, including NFL playoff games, the World Series, NHL Stanley Cup Finals, and NCAA championships.
Following the ceremony, the NBBA will host a Kids of Our League (KOOL) Clinic from 5-6 p.m. for children to learn to play beepball including batting, baserunning, and fielding on an accessible baseball field. The clinic is free and open to youth, ages six to 14 as well as parents and family members of blind and visually impaired youth. Professionals working with blind and visually impaired youth (teachers, adaptive sport and physical education specialists, counselors, etc) are also encouraged to participate. To register, visit www.nbba.org/kool.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., St. Louis area native and Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner Kersee will throw out the first pitch for the Women of Our League (WOOL) game. WOOL was created to empower the blind and visually impaired female community. The exhibition game will consist of women from each team showcasing their skills, formally demonstrating female inclusion, and celebrating empowerment and diversity in the sport.
Official NBBA World Series games will begin on Tuesday, July 23 with the full World Series schedule as follows:
| Tuesday, July 23Game 1: 8:00 AMGame 2: 11:00 AMGame 3: 2:00 PM | Wednesday, July 24Game 1: 8:00 AMGame 2: 11:00 AMGame 3: 2:00 PM | Thursday, July 25Game 1: 8:00 AMGame 2: 11:00 AMGame 3: 2:00 PM |
| Friday, July 26Game 1: 8:00 AMGame 2: 11:00 AMGame 3: 2:00 PM (3rd place game) | Saturday, July 27Championship Game(s*): 9:30 AM*Second game only if necessaryNBBA Awards: 7 p.m. Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel |
Individuals looking to support the NBBA World Series can do so through volunteering. By serving as base judges or operators, field umpires, and wellness runners, volunteers directly contribute to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for the athletes. Volunteers require no prior experience. To volunteer, visit mindseyeradio.org/worldseries or contact Mindseye’s Adaptive Athletics Coordinator Cole Pedtke at cpedtke@mindseyeradio.org or (618) 467-8687.
Thanks to the generosity of corporate partners – St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals Care, Mid America Transplant, Raising Canes, and Schlafly – the NBBA World Series will help create an event where everyone, regardless of their vision, can participate and enjoy the thrill of baseball. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available with funds raised to integrate MindsEye’s Audio Description and Broadcast Information Programs into the event, providing participants with accessible cultural experiences and real-time updates. To become a sponsor, visit mindseyeradio.org/worldseries.
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About NBBA
The National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) organization was initially established in January 1976 In Chicago with the mission of fostering competition and comradery that equips and empowers blind players to stand victorious in all aspects of sport and society.
About NBBA World Series
The first World Series tournament was held in September 1975 in St. Paul, MN. The final score of the championship game of that first World Series was the St. Paul Gorillas 39 – Phoenix Outlaws 27. The reigning champions are the Indy Edge. They won their first World Series in 2022. Previously, the Indy Thunder team held the championship for four years. Only the Austin Blackhawks from Austin, TX have reigned as champions for 7 years consecutively, and the True Site team from Albuquerque, NM for 6 years straight.
About MindsEye
The nonprofit MindsEye strives to build a more inclusive community by translating vision into audio for individuals who are blind or have low vision. The Broadcast Information Program provides listeners access to long-form journalism and local news. The Audio Description Program enables every person who attends a theatreproduction or museum exhibit the chance to enjoy a rewarding experience. The Adaptive Athletics Program raises awareness and provides educational and competitive opportunities for athletes who are blind or partially sighted. For more information, visit MindsEyeRadio.org.
Media Contact: Jason Frazier – President and CEO, jfrazier@mindseyeradio.org | 618-394-6447