Spring Break
Will professors finally triumph?
Christopher Shaver
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Campus News
Blindfolds, beeping balls and beeping bases will level the playing field April 4 as 11 blind or visually impaired Gardner-Webb students and alumni take on a team of professors for the annual Beep Baseball game.
The professors will be blindfolded, leaving all players using their ears to hear the beeping ball and bases. At bat, players have two chances to hit the ball being pitched to them. If they miss both, they have another chance to hit it off a tee.
After the ball is hit, the players in the outfield will have to touch the ball before the other team has a chance to touch the beeping base. They will play five innings.
"We don't play the official game here," said Noel Program disability specialist Parrish Walsburger. "They have an official league, but we want to put our own twist on it for us to make it a little more fun.
"We have spotters to prevent accidents. We have had a few people bump their heads in the past, but it's not been anything serious."
She said the students are on a 16-year winning streak against the professors and are doing everything they can to keep it that way.
Dr. Eddie Stepp think the students' winning streak will end this year. This will be the professor's second year playing.
"We lost last year by 1 run, I believe," he said. "I think this will be the year we beat them."
Walsburger said spectators are welcome at the game, which begins at 4 p.m. on the GWU softball field.
"I think students are aware of visually impaired students, but unaware about all the options they have. It's a fun way to raise awareness."
The professors will be blindfolded, leaving all players using their ears to hear the beeping ball and bases. At bat, players have two chances to hit the ball being pitched to them. If they miss both, they have another chance to hit it off a tee.
After the ball is hit, the players in the outfield will have to touch the ball before the other team has a chance to touch the beeping base. They will play five innings.
"We don't play the official game here," said Noel Program disability specialist Parrish Walsburger. "They have an official league, but we want to put our own twist on it for us to make it a little more fun.
"We have spotters to prevent accidents. We have had a few people bump their heads in the past, but it's not been anything serious."
She said the students are on a 16-year winning streak against the professors and are doing everything they can to keep it that way.
Dr. Eddie Stepp think the students' winning streak will end this year. This will be the professor's second year playing.
"We lost last year by 1 run, I believe," he said. "I think this will be the year we beat them."
Walsburger said spectators are welcome at the game, which begins at 4 p.m. on the GWU softball field.
"I think students are aware of visually impaired students, but unaware about all the options they have. It's a fun way to raise awareness."
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