City should go to bat for Beep ball

By John J. Parker

Special to The Capital-Journal

Per population, Topeka nationally was in the top three for many years for recreational softball. My friends and I really enjoyed playing softball --- the social interaction and the athletic participation.

When I became visually impaired, I feared that I would lose my connection with athletics, and my social interaction would be diminished.

Years later, someone I used to coach in women's softball brought to my attention Beep Baseball. There I became acquainted with visually impaired athletes and their sighted volunteers.

I found some common threads to interact with. Some of the sighted volunteers were athletes as well and understood about visual impairment and our desire to exercise our bodies as everyone else.

I remember the first time Bob Bigger told me to run to the buzzing first base. I was slightly intimidated as I started to jog, and then it happened. Bob boomed out, "I said run!"

Then I became frightened. Everyone who could see between home plate and first base would ask what would I be frightened of? For me, of course, being my first time without any aid from my blurry peripheral vision (I was blindfolded), I started thinking of all the things that could be between first base and myself (rocks that must have grown to boulders, sticks that probably fell from thorny bushes or giant trees).

Then Bob grabbed my arm and ran along with me and assured me all the imaginary plants, wild animals or whatever were not there and I had a clear path.

Just as in any sighted athletics, there is a fear to go through before you can reach that growth into improving your abilities and seeing what you are capable of.

The sighted softball player has Topeka and Shawnee County parks and recreation departments' assistance in their programs. Beep Baseball and other possible recreational events for visually impaired are not under the departments. Fortunately, when we have a specific tournament, members of the parks and recreation departments have been helpful.

How can we be approved and funded and see how our tax dollars will support all athletic and recreation programs?

Beep Baseball is so vitally important and sighted people who watch us are thrilled and want to come back. We need more opportunities to bring this sport about, and we ask for assistance in making our city government an active sponsor.

It has taken too long for us to make the community even slightly award of Beep Baseball.

I was fortunate this year to be an Olympic Torch bearer. The important thing I learned was that one torch runner is small but is an important part of the whole.

From the time we talked on the bus about each other's experiences to the time we waited for the torch runner to come light our torch and then carried it on to the next torch bearer, I realized that I was participating and lighting the fire within America.

That reminds me of our small organization wanting and needing to be a connected part of Topeka's community. We need help now to become a more vital, active, participating part of our great Topeka community.

John J. Parker lives in Topeka.

Copyright 2002
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