Buddy Ball kicking off the season with opening ceremonies on Wednesday

Take me out to the ball game because it is almost Buddy Ball season!

Mississippi Gulf Coast Buddy Sports provides local sports and leisure opportunities for individuals with special needs.

Buddy Ball is a baseball league created for youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This Wednesday night, Buddy Ball will officially kick off their season with opening ceremonies at the Gulfport Sportsplex on field 11 at 6.

Mike Crawford is the director of Buddy Sports and says he created it to give everyone a chance to play sports, including his daughter Emily. “It’s super important. You know, we started with my youngest daughter Emily 14 years ago when she couldn’t play and she wanted to play just like her brothers and sisters, and we’ve got athletes that are up in their 60 that still want to come out and play, so I think that it’s important we do this for the community.”

If you would like to become a volunteer for Buddy Ball, you can fill out a volunteer form at msgulfcoastbuddysports.com.