Diamond Dreams baseball season begins at Northside
Whether you are a baseball fan or not, it would be hard not to be a fan of the players in the Diamond Dreams Baseball League.
The Diamond Dreams baseball league started its season Tuesday night at their specially-designed field at Northside Park.
The league is for children with special needs and those with physical handicaps who live in Neshoba and the surrounding counties. Games will be held for the next five weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. The league started in 2010.
“We have designated coaches for each team,” board member B.J. Morrow said. “And from there, we get different groups to come in. We have groups from around town, different sports teams and civic clubs, which come and watch the games and cheer the players on.
“It’s a big outpouring of support. Some provide a meal for each game. Some get out on the field and help. Others stay in the stands or the dugouts and just cheer for them.”
Ages are from 4-years-old until the player graduates from high school. The volunteers on the field will help the players in wheelchairs and with walkers to make it around the bases. Others help players stay in their position. We have volunteers show up for practices, too. It’s a lot of action and a lot of fun for everyone.”
The league got its new ball field in 2019. Then they missed the 2020 season because of COVID-19. But they are back in action this year.
There will be four teams. Morrow said 42 players were signed up for Tuesday’s game, but he expects more by next week.
When the league first started, games were played on grass fields. But the new field is made of a synthetic surface which makes it easy to roll wheelchairs on. The bases are painted on to the surface so there is no chance of someone tripping.
“The base is a white square,” Morrow said. “They just step on it. It’s a smooth surface all around the field. There is no chance of tripping or falling. We are all about safety and having fun.”
That’s not to say there isn’t a lot of hustle once the ball gets hit.
“They want to get that ball,” Morrow said. “When it is hit, they know what it means and they want to go after it. It’s the same, whether it is Diamond Dreams or any other league.”