Wanted: A Few Good Volunteers For Alternative Baseball

MADISON- The community we call home is looking for a few good volunteers.

The Greater Huntsville/Athens/Madison Alternative Baseball Club is in need a volunteers, especially a head coach, to assist in getting the program underway to serve those in Madison and Limestone Counties who have autism. The Alternative Baseball Organization, a 501c3 developmental baseball program for persons age 15 and older, secured a head coach to lead the project, but only recently had to drop out of their volunteer position causing the program to begin a desperate search for a head coach and assistants.

“We had Optimist Park in Huntsville at one time as our host playing field, but that has fallen through and we’re hoping to find a location in Madison or Athens to help us rejuvenate the program,” said Taylor Duncan, commissioner/director of the Alternative Baseball Organization. “We must find a new volunteer coach in order to proceed as we currently have 14 players signed up to participate who are waiting to start play.”

Taylor, who lives in Dallas, Ga., was diagnosed with autism at age four and many times was prohibited from partaking in competitive sports due to the developmental delays, in addition to social stigma from those think those who are autistic cannot become members of society. With the help of his mother, teachers, mentors and coaches who believed in him, Duncan has been able to live a very productive life and now at age 23 is trying to assist others like him to be able to be a part of the community.

To do so, Duncan understands it takes someone with a good heart who wants to help others.

Duncan explained the search is on for more players to register for the program. Players can be at all levels of experience. The organization helps get a player started and help develop their physical and social skills.

The organization was recently commemorated as a Community Hero at an Atlanta Braves game and has been featured on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight and NBC’s Today Show and was chosenfor the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame’s Humanitarian Award. Alternative Baseball has clubs already underway in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Jersey City, Phoenix and many other communities. Duncan understands North Alabama is a prime location for the program that provides so much for those in need.

“I started this organization to give others in the special needs the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to be encouraged to be the best they can be,” added Duncan.

For additional information or to inquire about assisting as a volunteer or to register as a player, contact Duncan at www.alternativebaseball.org.