Baseball Buddies Looking for High School Students To Volunteer Time, Talent

Baseball Buddies, a nonprofit organization helping physically and emotionally challenged kids under 18, is looking for volunteer high school students to become “buddies” and earn Community Service hours.

“This will be one of the most rewarding experiences our high school students may ever have,” said Lisa Manning, founder and president of Baseball Buddies with her husband, John.

“Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of special needs children and to give each child hope and love. To treat each child with respect no matter what their disability is and to give parents a reason to smile and make a difference in their life. Making dreams come true is what we are all about.

“There are 10 games once a week that last an hour and it would be great if the students could participate for all 10 games,” she said.

Games start March 2 and every Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 pm at Freedom Park, 77400 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert.

The game plays just like a regular baseball game with innings and chances to bat and play the field, except that each player has a “buddy” that assists him or her throughout the entire game, helping them to swing, catch, throw, and run/ride the bases if they are in a wheelchair. Everyone plays every position, everyone bats, and best of all everyone wins.

In Baseball Buddies, players are not charged with registration or uniform fees or fees involving trophies and equipment, we pay for all of that. Our goal is to make everyone feel like a star, to see the children’s and parent’s faces light up as they make it around the bases.

Manning’s son, Lucas Manning, was born with Cerebral Palsy and therefore always sat on the sidelines watching his brother and sisters play many different sports. After a great deal of thought on how they could incorporate and involve Lucas and other special needs children in sports, their other son, Conrad Manning, came up with the idea of Baseball Buddies.

Lisa Manning also said the organization needs donations for “gas cards,” for families of disabled kids to bring them to games and 30 cases of bottled water .

For more information, please contact Lisa Manning at (760) 321-2681or Susan Heggie, (760) 568-4459 or www.baseballbuddiesca.org Baseball Buddies is a 501(c) (3) Nonprofit Organization.

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