Jerusalem pumped for Buddy Baseball All-Stars

A non-competitive, friendship- building baseball league, Buddy Baseball provides an opportunity to build self-esteem and create warm, lasting memories on the baseball field.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
THE SUCCESS of the Buddy Baseball Jerusalem program is evident on the faces of everyone who participates, as players or volunteers. (photo credit: Courtesy)
THE SUCCESS of the Buddy Baseball Jerusalem program is evident on the faces of everyone who participates, as players or volunteers.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Friendship Circle Central Jerusalem, together with Kraft Stadium and the Feuerstein Institute, will host its annual Buddy Baseball All- Star Game for children with special needs in Israel this upcoming Sunday, June 11th at Kraft Stadium, with several dignitaries expected to be in attendance.
A non-competitive, friendship- building baseball league, Buddy Baseball, founded by Dean Klassman of Chicago, provides an opportunity to build self-esteem and create warm, lasting memories on the baseball field. The second season in Israel has been running since the beginning of the spring with weekly games.
“Introducing buddy baseball to Jerusalem and its participants in its first All-Star game last year is one of the greatest gifts I have experienced,” said Klassman. “Seeing those faces light up is priceless.”
Friendship Circle Central Jerusalem is a one-stop portal into the world of children with special needs, partnering special needs players with buddy volunteers – granting children, who may never have played sports with a friend, the chance to experience teamwork, camaraderie and the magic of excelling at a sport.
“The concept of Buddy Baseball was introduced to several Israeli organizations and Friendship Circle Central Jerusalem was the only one that had the vision to see how special and wonderful the Buddy Baseball experience could be for both the players and their volunteer buddies,” noted Klassman.
Designed to instill a feeling of accomplishment, the Buddy Baseball program puts the kids in the batter’s box until they get on base.
Mayor Nir Barkat describes Jerusalem as a special and inclusive city, and Jerusalemites as unique, extraordinary people who band together and become one. Friendship Circle enables just that through this event and many others throughout the year – cheering Jerusalem’s special children on.
For more information, please visit www.fcjerusalem.org