Youth always had a special place reserved in “TheBabe’s” heart. Youth Sports are for every childregardless of physical or mental ability.

Imagine…some kids not being able to get out on the field, feel the sun beatingdown as he or she squints to see the ball flying towards them, and catch theball. Imagine…some kids not being able to hold a bat, hit a ball, or run thebases.

Bambino Buddy Ball

Bambino Buddy-Ball was foundedin 2000 as a division of Babe RuthLeague, Inc., for organizationswho wish to charter a league thatencompasses players who areeither physically and/or mentallychallenged and who yearn to playthe game of baseball or softball.

Since its inception, BambinoBuddy-Ball has experiencedtremendous growth throughoutthe country.

Babe Ruth League, Inc. believes that everychild has the right to participate in the gamesof baseball and softball.

The Bambino Buddy-Ball Division allows ourchallenged or special needs athletes to enjoythe game on the same level that isexperienced by other participants.

Advancing the personal development of anychild through team participation and kinshipis an important step along the road tosuccess and happiness.

Bambino Buddy-Ball opens up a whole newworld to our challenged kids - not only do theyexperience the thrill of participating, they alsoget to experience team play and camaraderie.

Buddy-Ball participants develop confidence andpositive self-esteem.

Participation assists with physical fitness, andtheir social skills.

The joy and emotion experienced when achallenged child puts on that first uniform orwears that first cap is like no other.

Bambino Buddy-Ball is for boys,girls and young adults, aged 5–20(and sometimes older), withmental and/or physicaldisabilities that have the desire toplay organized, non-competitivebaseball or softball.

This division makes allowance fora “Buddy” to help the playersswing a bat, round the bases,catch a ball, and enjoy all otheraspects of the game.

There are no restrictions to the age of thebuddy.

An emotionally rewarding experience for allinvolved as Buddy-Ball allows the buddies tofeel good about helping their challengedfriends, while at the same time making it a funand memorable time for all.

The heart of Babe Ruth League, Inc. is the local league. BRL Rules andRegulations provide a framework under which local leagues operate withsimplicity and democracy. Each local league administers its own program withinthis framework of rules and regulations and are given much autonomy, a factthat sets Babe Ruth League, Inc. far apart from all other programs.

Organization

Electing a Board Member to oversee the Buddy-Ball Division is an important task for asuccessful program.

This individual would act as a liaison betweenthe League Board and those involved in theBuddy-Ball program.

Suggested responsibilities for Buddy-BallLiaison:◦ Ensure fields are scheduled for games.

◦ Recommend managers and coaches for Buddy-Ballteams to the Board for approval.

◦ Work with Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth teams to recruitbuddies for games.

◦ Provide an update on Buddy-Ball activities at eachBoard Meeting for the local league.

◦ Promote the Buddy-Ball program within thecommunity.

The careful selection of managers and coachesis key to having a successful Buddy-Ballprogram. Managers and coaches must reflectpositive reinforcement with patience andunderstanding.

Managers and coaches should not be overlycompetitive.

Teams should be based on a combination ofability and size.

In most cases, the parents of the players involvedwith the program will volunteer to serve asmanagers and coaches, although anyone approvedby the local League Board may manage or coach.

A league may check with their local specialeducation department to recruit managers andcoaches.

It is recommended that each Buddy-Ball team haveone (1) manager and two (2) coaches.

Managers and coaches should enlist the assistanceof buddies to assist players on and off the field.

Players are typically assigned a buddy. Not all players willrequire buddies to assist them during the game, but manywill. A team may elect to have a buddy for every player or havea designated buddy to assist multiple players.

To determine the number of buddies your league will need,players, or their guardian(s) should indicate at the time ofregistration whether they will or will not need a buddy.

Sources of buddies:

◦ Family members

◦ Local Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball and Babe RuthSoftball leagues

◦ Local High School students – many schools ask students tocomplete community service hours

◦ Other youth organizations

Assist Buddy-Ball players in any way necessaryduring game play.

When possible, each player should use the samebuddy for the duration of the season. However, aBuddy may volunteer to assist a player for the entireseason, or for just one game.

If possible, it is best to have Cal Ripken Baseball,Babe Ruth Baseball or Babe Ruth Softball playersserve as buddies. This allows Buddy-Ballparticipants to build friendships with individualssimilar in age, as well as provides participants andbuddies alike to experience a special camaraderie.

Buddies are on hand toassist players with batting,base running and fielding.

Buddies should only assistplayers when necessary,not play the game forthem.

Batting◦ Help your player select a bat and helmet

and get them into the batting position.

◦ Thrown pitch - help your player swingthe bat, if needed.

◦ Batting Tee - if a player is not successfulat hitting a thrown pitch, encouragethem to use a batting tee. Set the ball inplace on the tee when the fielders areready and get the player into the battingposition. Assist the player in swinging atthe tee if needed.

◦ Make sure the player drops the batbefore base running.

Base Running◦ In most cases, runners will advance one

base at a time.

◦ Some players need guidance on where torun after they hit the ball. In this case,point your player in the right directionafter they hit the ball.

◦ Run with your player, stay close enoughto protect him or her from a thrown orbatted ball, but allow the player to lead.

◦ At the end of an inning, all buddies andplayers should remain on the field untilthe last base runner scores.

Fielding◦ Help your player find his/her position in the field.

Make sure fielders are a safe distance from thebatter. No fielder should be located in front of thepitcher’s mound.

◦ Avoid standing in the base paths.

◦ Stand near your player in a position that will allowyou to protect him or her from a batted or thrownball.

◦ Allow players to field the ball when possible. Whenyour player is ready to throw a ball, make sure theplayer receiving the ball is ready to take delivery ofthe throw.

◦ If necessary, assist in fielding the ball, but alwaysallow the player to make the throw.

Fielding◦ Players with unlimited mobility on a softly-hit ball: Allow

the player to field the ball alone. Direct the player whereto throw the ball.

◦ Players with unlimited mobility on a hard hit ball: If theball is heading to the outfield, let it go. If the ball is hit inthe infield, the Buddy should knock it down (if necessary),and then allow the player to field the ball.

◦ Players with limited mobility (walker, wheelchair, etc.):Field the ball or ask another buddy to field the ball, andhand it to your player to hold momentarily or throw.Assist the player in throwing the ball, if necessary. Whentalking to or instructing a player using a wheelchair,position yourself at their eye level and talk face-to-face.

After the Game◦ Assist Coaches with lining

the players up to shakehands.

◦ Remind players to shakehands gently.

◦ Stay with your player until afamily member, or anindividual with pre-arrangedauthorization from theplayer’s parent or legalguardian, picks them up afterthe game. Never leave aplayer unattended.

It is beneficial to the league andthe participants to conduct a one-day Buddy Training session priorto the start of the season.

The training can be administeredby the Buddy-Ball Liaison, by anindividual selected by the Buddy-Ball Liaison, by a special-education professional or anotheryouth community organizationleader.

Training Session should include:◦ An introduction to Bambino Buddy-Ball to familiarize

buddies with the concept of adaptive baseball/softball.

◦ Guidelines on dealing with players with physical and/ormental disabilities.

◦ Review the season’s game schedule and all other leagueactivities.

◦ Review player profiles, and assign buddies to respectiveplayers.

◦ Have a Question and Answer period.

Set up meetings with the Special EducationDepartment of your local school district and othercommunity service organizations to explain the basicsof Bambino Buddy-Ball, an adaptive alternative toyouth baseball and softball.

Detail that the program gives every player theopportunity to participate, regardless of level ofathletic ability.

Ask for their support in disseminating information tostudents, children, parents and members of thecommunity.

Post News Releases – Social Media, TV, Radio,Newspaper

The following is a guide intended to provide recommendations on the variousaspects of operating a Buddy-Ball Program, as well as suggested ruleadaptations.

Suggested Operations and Rules Guide

Games are non-competitive and should beplayed a maximum of 4 innings and a time limitof 1 ½ hours, whichever comes first. Teamstypically play 1 game per week.

Should not keep score, nor conduct leaguestandings.

No stealing, leading off bases, sliding, infield flyrule or bunting permitted. Runners can leavethe base once the ball is hit.

A player’s safety and welfare is paramountduring every game. At no time should a player’ssafety be compromised to advance a base, scorea run, or accomplish any other play.

Batting – Depending on the skills of the batter, they canuse the batting tee or have the coach or buddy pitch.Pitching underhand or overhand is determined by thebatting skills and eyesight of the player. A batter shouldget an average of 6 pitches or tee-aided attempts to hitthe ball. Balls and strikes should not be called, but anumpire can keep track of pitches or swings. If a playermisses all 6 attempts, have them proceed and run to firstbase. This step encourages the player to continue theactivity and develop their base running skills and notdwell on their inability to hit the ball.

A continuous batting order is suggested, and all playersshould bat in order, whether they are playing offense ordefense. An inning is completed once all players havebatted. The last batter in the inning should run all basesand score.

The on deck batter and buddyshould station themselves in the On-Deck area while awaiting their turn atbat.

Outs should not be counted todetermine when an inning iscompleted.

During the at-bat sequence, thebuddy can assist their player inswinging the bat. If not, the buddyshould be stationed approximately 8feet behind and parallel to the batterin preparation to assist the battertoward first base, once the ball is hit.

The buddy should run outside the foul linewhile the runner is running inside the foul linetoward first base. This will allow the buddy toassist the runner if he/she falls while runningto base. Buddies follow the same idea whilerunning to the other bases as well. If a batter isnot going to require his buddy’s assistancewhile running, the buddy can stationthemselves in the appropriate coaching box orencourage their player from the dugout area.

Playing Offense (Interactive participation of player andhis/her buddy) – All players are required to wear aBatting Helmet when batting or running the bases.Buddies should have the option to assist their playerswhen batting or running the bases. If players requirephysician prescribed headgear while playing, they willbe required to wear it at all times.

When a runner is on first base, the buddy should standin the 1st base coaching box, ready to assist theirplayer towards second base. When on second base,the buddy should stand immediately behind therunner to help them advance to 3rd. When on 3rd, thebuddy should stand in the 3rd base coaching box,ready to assist the runner toward home plate to scorea run.

Playing Defense (Interactive participation ofplayer and his/her buddy) – All players that areon defense and on the field should have theirbuddies assisting them.

Players should be stationed in positional playwith the exception of the pitcher. All buddiesshould station themselves in earshot orimmediately behind their positioned player.While assisting the catcher, stand 2 feet to thecatcher’s side to be ready to assist and get theball back to the coach/buddy that is pitching.

Use common sense in determining where youstand, especially depending on the batter’shitting ability.

Sportsmanship – All players, buddies and coachesshould conduct themselves in a very responsibleand respective manner towards each other anddemonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

At the end of each game, teams should line up,shake hands, and congratulate each other on agood game.

Suggested Field Adaptations

Bambino Buddy-Ball Fields

Widen Entrances to Dugouts

Areas for Wheelchairs

Protective Fencing

Handicap Accessible Drinking Fountains,Restrooms and Concessions

Ample Handicap Parking or dedicated parkingfor players during practice and on game days

The Playing Field◦ Buddy-Ball games may be played on traditional

baseball or softball fields. However, there areoptions that may improve game play, such as arubberized or synthetic playing surface

How to Charter a Buddy-Ball League. Costs. Questions.

Bambino Buddy-Ball

A Bambino Buddy-Ball Division can beadded to the charter of an existingleague or can be chartered on its own.

Affiliation with Babe Ruth Leagueprovides the league with essentialsupport to help make the participants’experience positive and rewarding.

Leagues are provided withcomplimentary educational materials,rulebooks, league supplies and otheradministrative/training resources.

The costs to operate a Bambino Buddy-Ball League are similar to those involvedwith operating any other baseball/softballleague.

Premier comprehensive general liability,group accident and directors & officersinsurance plans that are second to noneare available at extremely attractive rates.

Service Representatives are available toassist leagues with charters, promotionalmaterials, insurance enrollment, specialrequests and all questions. They can becontacted toll-free at 1-800-880-3142.

Leagues may also contact BRL VicePresident/Commissioner Robert Fahertyor Commissioner Rob Connor by usingthe same toll-free number.

Visit www.baberuthleague.org

Bambino Buddy-Ball definitely tugsat the heartstrings.

Something very special happens ateach and every game. Ball fieldsbecome populated by bigsmiles…smiles on the faces ofspecial participants who have anentire new world opening up rightin front of them.

Make sure that all kids in yourcommunity have the opportunityto enjoy the thrills of the game,experience memorable moments,and build friendships.

Start a Buddy-Ball program today!