Kickball Games Set At Field of Dreams In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Field of Dreams complex is getting set to kick off a schedule of events at the special needs recreation facility, beginning with some Unified Sports kickball games in the next few weeks.

Unified Sports pairs people with and without disabilities on the same team, which promotes "social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences," according to the Special Olympics of New Jersey, which provides the framework for the program.

The first kickball game is set for Tuesday, May 16, with the Unified Sports team from Toms River High School East hosting a team from Wall Township for a day of fun.

On May 30, Toms River East will host the Unified Sports team from the Brick Township Schools for a kickball game at 6:30 p.m. that will also be a fundraiser for Unified Sports of Ocean and Monmouth counties

The goal of Unified Sports is similar to the goal of the Field of Dreams: the principle that training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

The recreation complex designed for families of those with special needs aims to promote inclusion by accommodating children of all abilities. The complex is starting its first full season of providing an array of events and fun, including concerts, football and other sports clinics, and the Todd Frazier Special Needs Summer Baseball League.

Many of the special events are open to the public and a schedule is on the Toms River Field of Dreams website.