It's the 39th annual Beep Baseball World Series, but this is Rochester's first year with a team.
In an Upstate versus Downstate match against the Long Island Bombers, you can feel the new team's growing pains. It isn't until the top of the fourth that the Rochester Red Wings get their first out in the field, but the payoff is worth the wait.
Bombers Batter Nick "Pizza Slice" Pasquale hits one to left field. Red Wings Outfielder Jessica Smith lunges toward the beeping ball, clasps it, and holds it high over her head.
"GOT IT!"
Both benches erupt in applause.
Rochester is hosting the series this year, which is put on by the National Beep Baseball Association. The game resembles classic American baseball in a lot of ways, with several tweaks to make it possible for people who are visually impaired to play. The most noticeable difference is the ball, as the name suggests. It emits a repetitive beep as it's tossed over the plate and hit out into the field.
Blake Boudreaux is the Second Vice President of the NBBA. He's also a player for Houston.
"Being on the field not only instills confidence in the players, but also it helps individuals who are not familiar with individuals with disabilities and blindness to really understand the capabilities and what we're able to do."
Rochester is one of 24 teams playing in the World Series this year, including teams from Taiwan and Canada.
