GREENWOOD — At a distance, it looked like a regular game of baseball. However, on a closer look at Freedom Park in Greenwood, we found courage, character and competitors on the field.
Marc Morris covers his bases by putting his skills to work. The father of two is among the visually impaired athletes playing beep baseball.
"I was able to run full-out and play and play a team sport," Morris said.
Beep is the sound of the ball, which the pitcher throws so players can decide when to swing. The bases also beep to guide them to the right place.
Aaron See is a former football player who lost his vision in college and is now easing into a new sport.
"You got to pay more attention to detail out here," See said. "In football, you can see things and adjust your body. Out here, you can't see it. You have to be really focused razor-focused on the attention to details."
The pitcher and catcher are the only sighted members of the team, and all players are required to wear a blindfold. Since there are varying degrees of visual impairment, the blindfold puts everyone on an equal playing field.
"It's funny because you go from a sports my whole life where its all yelling and loud and then you come out here and you can hear a pin drop," See said. "It's a different atmosphere, but its still the highest level of competitiveness."
On this field, a bunch of guys, striking against the odds. With their hits, home runs, and sportsmanship on display for all to see.
