The non-profit organization based in Georgia works to inspire baseball players with special needs, including autism and other developmental differences, to hone their physical and social skills through hands-on opportunities in practices and games.
“We accept them for who they are and encourage them to be the best they can be,” says Founder and CEO Taylor Duncan, who was diagnosed with autism at age 4. “We instill confidence in them to fulfill dreams in life on and off the baseball diamond.”
He created the organization in 2016 because he says he was often denied opportunities due to the incorrect perception that those with autism cannot achieve certain feats, including playing baseball.
“There’s definitely a lot of stigmas for sure and it really started as a local awareness campaign,” Duncan says.
Duncan recently acquired a coach/manager for the Flat Rock team and is looking for others to join, including players and volunteers from the metro Detroit area. Players ages 15 and up can play in a traditional baseball setting with no judgment. Any experience is accepted. However, buddies are not provided; Alternative Baseball focuses on a player’s independence.
For more information, visit taylorcduncan.com, email info@alternativebaseball.org or call (770) 313-1762.
