'I never thought I was able to play sports until this': Beep Baseball event returns to MSOE after 2-year hiatus

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and Vision Forward came together for the fifth annual "Beep Baseball" event. The event empowers kids with visual impairments, like blindness, to get active and have fun. 

It's called beep baseball because the ball and bases beep, making it possible for the kids to hear the game. The game is focused on the sounds of baseball instead of the sights.

"All you have to do is listen to the sound and you'll find it," said 18-year-old Bryce Jensen about finding the ball. "That's key with everything when it comes to blind people. Sound, and that sort of stuff, that's really important for blind people." 

This event makes it possible for Bryce Jensen, who is blind, to play baseball.

"I never thought I was able to play sports until this, honestly," said Jensen. 

For MSOE's Head Baseball Coach Steve Sanfilippo, that's exactly what the day is about.

"To get a chance to hold a baseball bat, hit a ball, feel a ball. I think it's very important for the kids," said Sanfilippo. 

The event has more than doubled in participants since it began in 2015. 

Jaclyn Borchardt is the director of operations for Vision Forward. She says the event is an important collaboration with the school because it shows kids they're able to play sports.

"We're using their auditory skills with beeping ball and beeping bases, and it allows the sport to be something they can participate in and removes the challenge of being blind or low vision," said Borchardt. 

Volunteers made it a hands-on event. Kids were able to work on the fundamentals of baseball on one side of the gym and participate in a game of baseball on the other side.