A Playing Field where All Athletes are Welcome;
Safe & Seen
I have a young baseball player who’s been utilizing the yard off & on for nearly 4 years. It gave him an upper hand when he started trying out for travel teams at the age of 7. He was offered a spot on each team he tried out for, & we got to choose where he’d play. He’s taken advantage of everything from, camps, to facilitated practices, & private lessons.
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It’s been an amazing addition & invaluable resource to our community, & a year ago this is where I’d have ended my testimonial, but now while still fantastic, those things pale in comparison to the experience it provided to my adult son.
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Kai is 20 years old, but he’s not like most 20 year olds. Kai can’t read, add or subtract, he will never drive, go to college, or buy his own home. Those simple milestones we take for granted will never be a reality for him. We call Kai our "forever baby," he will be our sweet baby for the rest of our lives. Kai progressed so slowly mentally as a child that, although he is perfect physically he still wasn’t able to follow directions enough to be part of a team or play any sports… that was until last April when The Yard put on the Miracle Games, the joy, & utter excitement Kai had during, & even in the days leading up to the event were unmatched. He had a blast, & boy did he rise to the occasion, hitting balls & sliding home. He danced every time he crossed home plate. This experience meant everything to him, & he still asks me all the time when he gets to play “his game” again. But it wasn’t only Kai who got to experience playing a sport, being on a team, & having stands full of fans cheering him on, as a mother who never thought I’d get to see my baby do something so “normal" get out there & really live,
filled my heart to capacity. His siblings & I with tears in our eyes watched him go
out there & soar.
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~Mom, Helen Briscoe
Local Business Supports
The Yard Charity
(left)
The saying
‘when you give a kid a baseball you are giving him more than just a ball’
is a testament I always think about when talking about The Yard Charities. With the amazing donations to the charity, it allows each child the opportunity to have so much more than just a ball.
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~First Bank Kansas Team
Baseball; Growing my Son On & Off the Field
(right)
Both The Yard & The Yard Charities are having a tremendous impact on Salina & our surrounding communities & young people. Our area is filled with youth of all ages who are passionate about baseball & softball. The Yard & its programs have contributed significantly to the growing interest among these kids. The Yard, its charities & its donors strengthen our community by bringing these sports to many families who might otherwise not be able to participate.
Playing the game is fun but the life skills & friendships brought about through activities supported by The Yard Charities are the reasons to provide your financial support.
The Miracle Game was a fantastic showcase of what community support both financially & through volunteers can do when combined with youth passion for baseball & the desire to include all kids in a game so many kids love. With the Miracle Game, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring awareness & provide an avenue for all kids, regardless of ability, the joy of being able to play baseball.
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~Brayden's Dad, Tim
