DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Thirteen students at Dubuque Senior are taking advantage of the nice weather to play baseball, but this isn’t your typical game.
The students are playing Beep Baseball, a modified version of the sport designed for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Audio cues replace visual elements, enabling players to fully participate in America’s pastime.
“When we bat, you have to be cautious about, you have to be listening when you are swinging the bat,” said 9-year-old Karter Goodsman.
The beeping sounds come from both the ball and the bases. Players rely entirely on these audio signals to know when to swing, where to run, and how to field.
“I hear the beep beep beep beep,” said Kahler, who boasted about his speed on the basepaths. “It would only take me like ten seconds to get to a base.”
Crystal Beighley, Expanded Learning Coordinator for the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, said the program serves a purpose beyond athletics.
“These students need these activities. They are part of a community. This is where they build lifelong friendships,” Beighley said.
The game features plenty of hits and misses, but winning isn’t the primary goal. For many participants, it’s their first chance to meet other students who share similar challenges with visual impairment.
One student explained why the program matters to him: “Cause I get to uh, be with blind kids and I get to play and I get to be on the news.”
The program allows students to experience the traditional elements of baseball — swinging the bat, running the bases, and playing as a team — while building connections with peers who understand their daily experiences.
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