Venice Challenger Baseball has it's Field of Dreams for Special Needs Kids, Thanks to donations from generous people along the Suncoast.
It's been a dream for almost a decade and it has finally come true n Venice. The Venice Challenger baseball program was created for children with special needs. Their complex off of Gulf Coast Boulevard and U.S. 41 is now completed – and ready for them to play ball.
Coach Rich Carroll, the founder of Venice Challenger baseball. says the complex, now known as the "Field of Dreams", has been in the works for about eight years. He says it was a direct result of the Suncoast community stepping up to the plate and donating more than a million dollars to make this happen.
\There are currently 135 players with special needs who will soon be able to play ball at this new facility. The players have not seen each other in the last few months because of the pandemic.
Venice Challenger Baseball, just held a drive-by reveal of the brand new… field of dreams… to allow all of their players to see what’s waiting for them – once they are able to play.
The complex was built with two fields that are safe and accessible - specifically designed to overcome the challenges of playing on regular fields for these athletes.
So… When will they have Opening Day?
Their plan is… when it’s safe. Their kids are all huggers. How do you tell a child with autism that that can’t hug… and that they have to stay six feet away.
If you’d like to learn more about the Venice Challenger Baseball Program, from volunteering, or if you have a player who wants to join the team...… visit…www.VeniceChallengerBaseball.org
You can also follow them of Facebook here: : https://www.facebook.com/VeniceChallengerBaseball/?ref=page_internal
Venice Challenger Baseball is still hoping to raise another $200,000 to be able to buy lights for the complex. if you would like to donate, follow this link. https://venicechallengerbaseball.org/