Batavia baseball league helps disabled
Hundreds of young kids with developmental or physical disabilities haven't let those challenges stop them from learning the great game of baseball.
It's all possible because of Batavia Youth Baseball, which has provided the Power League for these kids for more than 20 years.
For the last 10, Paul Dauksha of Batavia has operated the league, which relies on the “buddy” system of a parent, relative or friend of the child to participate in three-inning games at J.B. Nelson School.
“Those who have come back year-to-year don't need a lot of direction, and can maybe play on their own,” Dauksha said.
Anywhere between 20 and 50 kids sign up for the league, which fields 12 players on a team for the two-month season of June and July.
“Any child ages 6 to 17 with any disability is welcome to sign up,” Dauksha said. “We have kids from all over the Tri-Cities, and from as far away as Yorkville.”
Dauksha said he became the league organizer about 10 years ago, taking the reins from Leslie Hopkins, who was league head for the previous 10 to 12 years.
“Some of the new kids take some time to learn the timing and dynamics of the game, and some do it on their own, and others need extra help from their buddy,” Dauksha said. “If a kid is in a wheelchair, for example, their buddy will field the ball and give it to the kid to throw to the proper base.”
Registration for the league is being taken through Sunday at bataviabaseball.com, or by calling Dauksha at (815) 751-4064. Cost is $50 per player.
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