MindsEye was thrilled to bring Audio Description to Busch Stadium for the FIRST TIME EVER this year! In total, we described five St. Louis Cardinals games, and one Springfield Cardinals game, to over 60 sports fans who are blind or visually impaired.
On June 14th Gateway Archers players helped test out the Audio Description equipment performance in the stadium at a Marlins vs. Cardinals game. Everything went smoothly for describers Magan (MindsEye Arts and Culture Coordinator) and Jason (MindsEye President and CEO.) In addition to the regular play-by-play, they described all the atmosphere that comes with a live game experience… including a visit from Fredbird!
MindsEye had the pleasure of providing Audio Description for the July 25th Cards-Pirates game for participants of the SOAR program at Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis. The SOAR (Summer Orientation & Mobility and Adapted Living Resource) program is a highly intensive, structured, residential training program that provides specialized instruction to youth ages 16-21 who are legally blind. Volunteer describer Paul Slocomb did an amazing job at play-by-play to keep everyone–sighted or not sighted–in the moment of the game. Sadly, no Fredbird visit that time.
On August 6th, Paul Slocomb was back at it, describing the Cards vs. Royals game for participants of the SWKIA and SEKIA through Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis. SWKIA and SEKIA are recreational and developmental groups for youth ages 8 – 18 who are blind or visually impaired and reside in Southwest and Southeast Missouri.
Paul teamed up with Magan to describe the August 22nd Cards-Pirates game for the Braille Brillance group from Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis. The Braille Brilliance program provides students and families with goal-focused braille tutoring and opportunities to connect with other braille readers through fun braille-related activities. Students filled out tactile scorecards, including gem stickers for runs, and were thoroughly entertained by Paul and Magan’s hilarious AD banter!
The St. Louis Cardinals generously provided tickets to the September 8th game versus the Dodgers. A dozen clients enjoyed Magan’s Audio Description, including several Gateway Archers players. We were also happy to see United Way of Greater St. Louis President and CEO Michelle Tucker and Roman Wuller and Todd Schnuck, co-chairs of the 2021 campaign, celebrate its kickoff! Although it wasn’t a win for the Cardinals, it was great to experience a home run for the Dodgers by Albert Pujols in what may have been his last game at Busch Stadium.
Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis Southwest Kids In Action invited MindsEye down to Springfield to describe one last game for the season– Springfield Cardinals vs. Arkansas Travelers. Everyone had a great time, and we’re excited to provide even more description next season!
Describer Paul wears an AD microphone and looks intently towards the field. 
A mother and her teenage son, who wears a blue AD headset, sit in the stands. 
A father and his young son, who wears a blue AD headset, enjoy the game together. 
Three teenage AD patrons smile inside a suite, each wearing blue headsets. 
Archers co-captain Kim smiles and holds her 1-year-old foster son. She wears a Cardinals shirt and hat, blue Audio Description headphones, and glasses with a telescope eyepiece. 
Archers player Liam sits in the stands, wearing a red and white MindsEye BeepBall t-shirt. 
Archers player Kyle smiles, wearing a red Cardinals t-shirt and yellow Audio Description earbuds. 
Magan sits in the stands and describes the game into a steno mask. 
MindsEye Board member and Archers co-captain Chad Dillon gets his Audio Description receiver and headset from Mike. 
Two smiling AD patrons, home plate behind them. 
Describers Jason and Magan squeeze into a photo with Louie.