Team sports can be challenging for some kids. I’m very lucky that Ady has the opportunity to play on a softball team supported by our local minor league, the Reading Phillies.
The team is called the Junior Fightin’ Phils Dreamleague. They provide uniforms for all the players and the field that they provide for the kids to play on is absolutely beautiful.

My daughter Adalyn was diagnosed with autism at age 2. She has played soccer, participated in swim sessions, and has had horseback riding lessons in the past. Baseball is something that she can enjoy and interact with other children her age as a team.

The league is filled with so many supportive parents, coaches, and volunteers. They are active with the players on the field. There are also announcers at every game that call the players as they approach the plate.

Everyone is there to have fun. Each child takes a chance up at bat for two innings and out in the field for two, No one is called “out” and everyone has a chance to score. Players and volunteers all cheer each other on.

There are volunteers on hand at every game in case parents want to take a step back. I prefer to go out with Ady, but I also give her space to be independent. She just started batting on her own off of a tee. I love that she’s thriving and she’s such a happy go lucky kid.

I almost didn’t sign her up due to our busy schedule. Even if we just make it to one out of the two games every week I feel like that is fulfilling for her.

Ady splits her time between her father and myself. We coparent and attend most of her games together. Her dad loves to get out on the field with her and help her. It’s a great experience for everyone and something we can do as a family. Her siblings who are close in age are also involved as well. They love going to her games and supporting her.

I feel very fortunate that this opportunity is available for us and I hope that other teams provide the same opportunities for children with different abilities. They don’t always get the same opportunities in a school based sports team so this is something very special for them.
https://www.milb.com/reading/community/baseballtown/dream-league