Every hit was a home run at Swayze Field on Monday, Oct. 26 as Ole Miss Baseball and Softball welcomed the League of Angels back for the second consecutive year. The organization provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience playing baseball in a welcoming environment.
Based in Knoxville, Tenn., the League of Angels was founded by former University of Kentucky baseball player Tanner Kim.
The event brought together Ole Miss athletes, members of the Oxford High School baseball and softball teams and League of Angels participants for an evening filled with baseball, dancing and celebration.
The organization also hopes to expand its reach by hosting monthly events at baseball venues across the country, allowing more individuals with disabilities to experience the game.
Participants were divided into two teams, Hotty and Toddy, with Hotty wearing red jerseys and Toddy wearing navy blue.
As participants stepped up to bat, their walk-up songs played over the stadium speakers. Every hit counted as a home run, giving each participant an opportunity to round the bases.
Kim kept the energy high throughout the event, encouraging participants and getting the crowd involved with chants.
The celebration continued between innings. Following the top of the first inning, participants took part in a League of Angels dance party. Dance-offs also took place throughout the evening, adding to the excitement on the field.
For Ole Miss senior finance major Matt Bishop, the event was an opportunity to support a lifelong friend, Clayton Dobbs.
“One of my best friends from high school, I’m good friends with his family. I wanted to come out and support him,” Bishop said.
Bishop also had a personal connection to the event through his work at University Sporting Goods, which helped produce the jerseys worn by the participants.
Ole Miss senior multidisciplinary studies major Adam Robinson said the interactions between the athletes and participants stood out to him the most.
“I like how helpful all the baseball and softball players were,” Robinson said. “It looked like it was more fun for them than even the kids.”
Beyond baseball, the event also featured bubble soccer with junior infielder Owen Paino and freshman catcher Ayson McIntosh competing against each other, giving the participants another activity to enjoy during the event.
Throughout the night, Ole Miss and Oxford athletes cheered on participants, celebrated their accomplishments and helped create a welcoming atmosphere at Swayze Field.
The event concluded with a victory tunnel, as participants made their way through a line of supporters celebrating their efforts.
For the second straight year, the partnership brought athletes and participants together at Swayze Field, giving individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy baseball while creating memories with their families and the Oxford community.
