Savoy hosting Beep Baseball tourney for visually impaired players

SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — A type of baseball designed for players with visual impairments is coming to Champaign County this weekend.

Beep Baseball has several changes to help blind, low-vision, and legally blind players play ball. Second base has been eliminated and batters have four strikes and one pass ball. All games have a sighted pitcher and catcher trained to communicate pitches. First and third bases have a constant buzzing noise and the ball emits a constant beeping noise to help players.

The Beep Baseball games are schedule to play at Savoy’s Prairie Fields Park from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Three Midwest teams — Indy Thunder, Chicago Comets, and Gateway Archers — will face off with two games scheduled.

“Beep baseball is a real eye opener for fans,” said states Tournament Director Darnell Booker. “In Beepball, we say silence is golden but applause is necessary.”

Local leaders saying hosting the tournament is an honor.

“Witnessing the athleticism and skill required to be a part of this adaptive sport is an exceptional opportunity for our community,” Mark Brown, Director of Sports, Events, and Film for Experience Champaign-Urbana, said. “We look forward to welcoming athletes and their fans to the area.”

An overview of the rules from the National Beep Baseball Association is available to read here.

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