Buddy Ball

There’s a moment – right after a child connects with the ball and before they start their triumphant run down the baseline – when time seems to pause. The crowd holds its breath, a smile spreads across the batter’s face, and for a few precious seconds, every barrier that child has faced in life disappears.

That’s Buddy Ball.

And on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m., Moore County gets its turn under the lights. For the first time, the Buddy Ball program will take the field at Moore County High School, inviting the community to witness the power of inclusive play – and the pure, unfiltered joy that comes with it.

“It’s hard to explain unless you’ve seen it,” said John LaCook, a volunteer coach and one of the driving forces behind bringing Buddy Ball to Lynchburg. “You see these kids – kids who are used to watching from the sidelines – step up to the plate, swing that bat, and just light up. It’s the kind of smile that hits you right in the heart.”

‘Let’s Find a Way’

The story of Buddy Ball in Southern Middle Tennessee started last year in Tullahoma. Stephanie Kimbro, a longtime local youth volunteer, was wrapping up the season when one parent told her it would be her son’s final year playing.

“She told Stephanie that her son, who has special needs, couldn’t safely move up to the older age group,” LaCook explained. “That hit Stephanie hard. So she went looking for a solution – and she found Buddy Ball.”

Buddy Ball is part of the Cal Ripken Baseball program. It’s designed specifically for children with mental and physical disabilities, pairing each player with a “buddy” who assists and encourages them on the field.

Kimbro worked quickly to get a league started in Tullahoma, inviting families from the surrounding area to sign up – no restrictions, no cost.

“We’ve got kids who are autistic, kids with Down syndrome, kids who use walkers or wheelchairs,” LaCook said. “Whatever their challenges are, they’re welcome. That’s what Buddy Ball is all about.”

Every Kid Hits a Home Run

The games are structured to meet the kids where they are – physically, emotionally, and developmentally. Each one lasts about two innings, roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and every child bats and runs the bases. There are no outs. No strikeouts. Every hit is a home run.

And every cheer is earned.

“You can’t imagine the pride these kids feel when they hear the crowd go wild,” said LaCook. “We had one little guy who uses a walker. He hit the ball – barely rolled a few feet – and you’d have thought he hit it over the fence the way he smiled. That was his moment.”

Each child is paired with a buddy – a student-athlete, a community volunteer, even local first responders – who helps guide them through the game. Buddies assist with batting, running, fielding, and most importantly, encouragement.

But as LaCook put it, “They’re not there to play the game. They’re there to make sure the child can.”

From Tullahoma to Lynchburg

Since the program launched in Tullahoma, it’s already played four or five games, drawing bigger crowds each time. But LaCook knew there were kids in Moore County who were missing out – simply because they didn’t know what Buddy Ball was or didn’t want to make the trip.

He brought local educator Ashley Gass to a game. She’s a special education teacher at Lynchburg Elementary  School and works with many of the kids Buddy Ball serves.

“She was in tears watching them play,” LaCook said. “And she went right back and started telling people, ‘We’ve got to do this in Lynchburg.’ ”

• Watch Gass's video

Moore County High School quickly jumped on board. MCHS teacher Jonah Deal and Principal Josh Deal worked with LaCook to make it happen.

“There was zero hesitation,” he said. “They just asked what they could do.”

The game will be held on the softball field, which is primarily flat and easily accessible – crucial for children in wheelchairs or using other mobility devices.

“We wanted to make sure the kids and their parents don’t have to worry about stairs or gravel or uneven ground,” LaCook explained. “That field is as close to ADA-compliant as we’ve got.”

Columbia Blue and Big Dreams

The Moore County Buddy Ball team will wear Columbia blue jerseys with a red, white, and blue Buddy Ball logo – proudly representing Lynchburg when they take the field. LaCook hopes this is just the beginning.

“I want to see us build a full team right here in Moore County,” he said. “We can play Tullahoma, maybe Franklin County, or Manchester if they get teams going. That’s the dream – these kids, traveling and playing just like their siblings do.”

And speaking of siblings, LaCook said that’s one of the most beautiful parts.

“Usually, these kids are sitting in the stands watching their brother or sister play. Now, they’re the ones on the field – and their family is cheering for them. That’s a powerful thing.”

‘It Never Gets Old’

Despite the hours of volunteer work, coordinating schedules, securing sponsors, and organizing logistics, LaCook said the payoff is immediate.

“Every game, we pick up one or two new players. We had a girl come out last week – never touched a bat in her life – and by the second inning, she was swinging like she’d been playing forever,” he said. “It never gets old.”

For the kids, the game is all fun. For the volunteers, it’s life-changing.

Blakely Bobo, a 2025 MCHS graduate, played in a game this summer before heading off to college. “He told me, ‘It was humbling,’ ” LaCook recalled. “ ‘You don’t know how blessed you are until you see those kids out there.’ ”

What to Expect on Aug. 30

The upcoming game at Moore County High School promises to be an emotional and uplifting event. Families, friends, neighbors – everyone is invited to come cheer.

“We do everything we can to make this a celebration,” LaCook said. “Not just for the players, but for the families who’ve fought hard for these moments.”

LaCook believes Moore County has the heart, the resources, and the spirit to make Buddy Ball a permanent part of the local sports landscape.

“These kids teach us more than we could ever teach them,” LaCook said. “They teach us about joy, patience, resilience – and how to hit a two-foot grounder like it’s a grand slam.”

Whether you’re a parent, a volunteer, a business owner, or just someone looking to witness something truly special – this is your invitation.

“This isn’t just a baseball game,” LaCook said. “It’s a celebration of what’s possible when a community shows up for every child.”