Alternative Baseball Organization looking to start new program to serve Emanuel County, surrounding areas

Alternative Baseball Organization, a 501c3 authentic baseball experience for individuals 15 years and older with autism and other disabilities, is looking for a volunteer coach/manager, volunteers and players to start a new program to serve those in Emanuel County and surrounding area. The organization has already established programs in East Cobb, Powder Springs, Paulding County, Gwinnett County/Loganville, Newnan, North Fulton, Columbus and Savannah that are tentatively expected to start in late spring-summer 2021. The organization provides equipment and resources to help with the program’s success.
The program follows Major League rules (wood bats, base stealing, dropped third strike, etc.), and is a true typical team experience for others on the autism spectrum and special needs to help develop social skills for later in life. Alternative Baseball also has clubs in 30+ states who are also preparing for their late spring start dates. In 2019, the organization was commemorated as a Community Hero at an Atlanta Braves game and has been featured on ESPN's BASEBALL TONIGHT and NBC's Weekday TODAY Show.
“Players can be of all experience levels. We take them from where they start out at (whether they require to be pitched to slow overhand or hit off the tee) and help develop their physical and social skills. Interviews are available via Zoom (due to COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic) and can also provide a multitude of B-Roll footage through our Google Drive,” stated Taylor Duncan, commissioner/director of Alternative Baseball Organization.

Duncan is 25 years old and is from Dallas, Georgia, who has also been diagnosed with autism.
“When I was much younger, I had speech issues, anxiety issues, and more that came with having autism. I wasn't able to participate in competitive sports due to the developmental delays, in addition to social stigma (preconceived ideas) from those who think what one with autism can and cannot accomplish. With the help of my mom, teachers, mentors, and coaches who believed in me, I've gotten to where I am today in my life: To live with the goal to inspire, raise awareness, and acceptance for autism and special needs globally through the sport of baseball. As many with autism graduate from high school in many areas, services plateau. In a lot of suburban and rural areas, there are no services for those to continue their path toward independence. Many travel to find the limited services which may or may not be available to their specific needs. Realizing a lack of general incentive and opportunities for those on the spectrum, I started this organization to give others on the spectrum/special needs the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to be encouraged to be the best they can be,” Duncan stated.
Alternative Baseball encourages all to see its segment from ESPN's Baseball Tonight by visiting http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=23353934. Duncan’s TedXAtlanta talk on providing more opportunities in and outside of sports for those with autism and other special needs can also be viewed by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0RGXug-WV4.