TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — It’s that time of year when kids of all ages lace up and head out to play America’s favorite pastime. A new Babe Ruth League program hopes to help kids with special needs – either physical or mental – to get to play too. It’s called Bambino Buddy Ball and they’ll host opening day this weekend at Joe Moon Field at Wagoner Park in Tullahoma.

Two locals will help kick it off. Stephanie Kimbro of the Smith Chapel area will help organize the new league and John LaCook of the Cobb Hollow area will coach one of the two teams.

Kimbro says the inspirations for the new league was a player on her son’s coach-pitch team, who wasn’t going to get to play the following year.

“His mother mentioned that this was his last year because she thought player-pitch might be too dangerous for him,” Kimbro says. “This child is the same age as my oldest son. Everyone loves him. I couldn’t stand the idea of him not being able to feel included anymore.

That’s when Kimbro approached Jimmy Bratcher about launching a Bambino Buddy Ball League. It officially operates as Tullahoma Area Baseball operating as Tullahoma Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth.

The new league pairs players with a peer or adult “buddy” that will help them navigate the game. It’s for kids as young as five years old up to young adults and the teams will be co-ed. It’s meant to be inclusive of kids of all abilities and allows them the opportunity to play an organized sport too. Bambino Ball also helps to build confidence, create positive self-esteem, and improve physical fitness, as well as enhance their social skills through baseball.

“Before the Bambino Buddy-Ball Division, our special needs kids were often unable to enjoy the game of baseball. Now, through the assistance of a special buddy, they are able to enjoy the same thrills of batting, hitting and throwing just like the other kids,” their website states. “The Bambino Buddy-Ball Division opens up a whole new world to our challenged kids – not only do they experience the thrill of participating, they also get to experience team play and camaraderie.”

Kimbro stresses that the new league may take place in Tullahoma but it’s open to Moore County children as well as those in other surrounding counties. She also says that the league is completely free to players thanks to a sponsorship from both Anderson Street Storage and Arnold’s Party Rentals.

Opening ceremonies will happen on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. and you can sign up at this link. There is no registration fee and parents or guardians will be contacted to so that coaches and buddies can learn more about their player’s special needs.

“I personally feel this will be so much fun,” LaCook says. “Please get them involved and let’s make this league a huge success.”

To learn more about the new league, you can click here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is a nonpartisan, independent community newspaper serving Lynchburg, Tennessee and the surrounding counties. We are dedicated to public service journalism for the greater good of our community. You can support us, by clicking here.}