The inaugural Champaign Beepball Tournament is happening July 10-11 in Colbert Park. Beep baseball is an “adaptive version of baseball for the blind, low-vision, and legally blind.”
The National Beep Baseball Association will be hosting the tournament, which will bring teams from around the country to compete. From the Visit Champaign County press release:
The games are similar to baseball with some noted differences to accommodate the needs of the players. The second base is removed, while first and third bases are four-foot-high padded cylinders with speakers, giving off a continuous buzzing sound when activated. Each team fields a sighted pitcher and catcher, with specific rules for communicating the pitching of the ball. The balls emit a beeping sound, helping the team on the field play defense.
There will be round robin style games at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m on July 10th, with third place and championship games happening at 8 a.m. on July 11th. All games are free and open to the public.
You can learn more about the sport at the National Beep Baseball Association website.
Top photo from National Association of Beep Baseball Facebook page.