St. Louis’ Gateway Archers Beep Baseball Team Welcomes the Indy Thunder
The one-year-old team will train with the 4-time world champions this spring
St. Louis, MO, April 20th, 2021—Next week athletes from St. Louis and Indianapolis who are blind or visually impaired will train together on the Beep Baseball field. Often called BeepBall, the sport is an adaptive form of baseball that allows athletes of all visual abilities to play together. All BeepBall players are blindfolded, except for the sighted pitcher and outfield spotters. They are guided by sound– the beeping ball, buzzing bases, and cues from the pitcher.
The Gateway Archers and Indy Thunder teams compete together in the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) league. This summer, both teams will compete in regional NBBA tournaments in Indianapolis, Aimes, Champaign, and St. Louis, as well as the World Series in Wichita. Last season was the Archers’ first, while the Indy Thunder are an experienced team with four World Championships to their name. Representing Indy Thunder at training will be head coach Darnell Booker, pitcher and NBBA Hall of Famer Jared Woodard, and other players and volunteers.
While the Gateway Archers are a program of the St. Louis nonprofit MindsEye, the Indy Thunder are an independent organization. Both teams host a regional tournament, engage in educational and exhibition games, and fundraise to ensure no visually impaired person is denied the opportunity to play BeepBall.
Spectators are welcome to view the training at Brentwood Park on May 1st from 10am-6pm, which will include drills and end with a scrimmage. Covid precautions will be observed, including masking and distancing.
Gateway Archers thank this season’s sponsors, which include Permobil Seating and Positioning, Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis, Ameren Illinois, Emerson, Mascoutah Eyecare, and St. Louis Cardinals Cares.
Follow the Gateway Archers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegatewayarchers
I am audio describing a play that day but will try to stop by afterwards