As a fierce competitor and lifelong athlete, I had always believed that in sports, winning is everything. But as a mom of two blind children, I’ve learned that there’s so much more to sports. Youth sports in particular. And the teams that have the biggest wins of all are the ones that are inclusive.
Winning is important, but it shouldn’t be the only goal. When teams focus on building players who will win at life, everyone benefits. My oldest son, Michael, became the first blind player in regular Little League baseball in our state. Watching him play alongside his sighted peers showed me that inclusivity in sports doesn’t just benefit individuals; it enriches the entire team. This experience was so impactful that I’m now producing Curveball, a film about Michael’s journey and the power of inclusive youth sports. It is a perspective that I never saw coming, and I believe will change youth sports… for the better. Much better.
The Transformative Power of Inclusion
When Michael first expressed interest in playing baseball, I was like, “Wait, what?” The world of youth sports often seems tailored for the able-bodied, with little room for those who don’t fit the traditional mold. However, Michael’s determination pushed us to seek a path where he could play alongside his sighted peers. What unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary.
Michael began his baseball journey by joining a team of blind athletes playing beep baseball, a version of the sport that incorporates sound cues. Through beep baseball, Michael learned essential skills like throwing, hitting, and running. These foundational skills ignited his passion for the game and built his confidence. Yet, he wanted to take it a step further by playing regular baseball near our home, alongside his friends from school.
Participating in a regular Little League team did more than just provide Michael with an opportunity to play a sport he loved. It boosted his self-confidence, taught him valuable teamwork skills, and showed him that he could compete and succeed on an equal playing field. His teammates, in turn, learned the importance of communication, empathy, and the unique strengths that each player brings to the game.
This experience didn’t just make Michael a better player; it prepared him to navigate a sighted world and pursue his dreams for education and employment. Playing with his sighted peers helped him understand how to leverage his abilities in various settings, giving him the tools he needed to thrive beyond the baseball field.
Building Stronger Teams Through Inclusivity
A team becomes stronger by recognizing and utilizing the unique skills and talents of each player. In Michael’s case, his acute sense of hearing and strong spatial awareness became assets to his team. The coaches and players quickly adapted to new methods of communication and strategy, ensuring that everyone was included and valued.
For instance, Michael excelled at batting by learning to set the ball up on the tee independently and hitting it with success. He used his memory skills to run the bases and sound cues to throw the ball exactly where it needed to go. These adaptations didn’t just help Michael succeed; they taught his teammates creativity and the importance of leveraging diverse abilities.
The Flaws in Youth Sports Today
Despite the clear benefits of inclusivity, many youth sports programs today still operate on a narrow definition of athleticism and skill. This exclusionary mindset limits opportunities for children who might not fit the traditional athlete mold but have valuable skills and perspectives to offer.
One of the major flaws in current youth sports is the overwhelming focus on winning at the expense of personal growth, teamwork, and character development. This win-at-all-costs mentality can marginalize players who need a different approach to thrive and often overlooks the broader educational potential of sports.
Winning is certainly an important goal in competition, but learning how to lose and improve is just as crucial. When youth sports programs are inclusive, the learning is deeper and more accelerated. Teams that embrace inclusivity emphasize collaboration, support, and the development of each player’s potential, leading to richer, more fulfilling experiences for everyone involved.
Inclusive teams foster an environment where all players learn to be adaptive and cooperative, skills that extend far beyond a batting average. These teams encourage players to recognize and leverage each other’s strengths, making the team as a whole stronger and more resilient. Teammates learn to appreciate diverse abilities and perspectives, which enhances their problem-solving skills and adaptability both on and off the field.
By focusing on inclusivity, we can transform youth sports into a platform for comprehensive personal development, where winning is balanced with valuable life lessons. This approach ensures that all players, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to grow, succeed, and contribute meaningfully to their teams.
Inclusivity Benefits Everyone
Inclusion in youth sports is not about lowering standards or compromising on competitiveness. It’s about broadening our understanding of what makes a team successful. When teams embrace inclusivity, they foster environments where every player can shine. This approach not only enhances the team’s performance but also instills values of empathy, resilience, and innovation in young athletes.
Need more convincing? Look at the team photo with this article. That is Michael’s team. They lost every game until they began to uncover the benefits of inclusion. Once they harnessed the points in this article and more, they won. Again and again. Ultimately, they beat the first place, undefeated team… in extra innings… and Michael led the team in RBI’s.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Michael’s story is a testament to the incredible outcomes of inclusive sports. His journey, which we’ll bring to life in Curveball, showcases how breaking down barriers in youth sports can lead to unexpected triumphs and lifelong lessons.
I invite you to join us in supporting Curveball. By getting involved, you’re not just backing a film; you’re advocating for a future where every child, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed in sports. Message me to get involved in the film and/or join the journey here: https://goshare.fund/sharefund/curveball-the-movie-that-reveals-how-the-first-blind-little-league-player-changed-an-entire-town-851
Discover the power of embracing ability and advantage in disability through Kristin Smedley’s transformative books, impactful speaking engagements, enlightening workshops, and thought-provoking films. Dive into her best-selling book “Thriving Blind” on Amazon, and elevate your next event by booking Kristin at kristinsmedley.com to ignite conversations that foster inclusivity and empowerment.
