The Herald-News - News Story

    Sports and recreation are a healthy outlet for kids of all ages, but in Dayton, children with disabilities do not have organized sports teams to join and enjoy-yet.
    At the Sept. 16 Dayton Recreation Board meeting, Sara Messimer, mother of a child with disabilities, asked the board to consider a T-Ball league for children with disabilities because of a growing interest in it and her desire to let them participate in sports teams.
    "All the other kids can go out and play, and [kids with disabilities] need the opportunity just like them," Messimer said at the meeting.
    After consideration, the board suggested the use of an out-of-commission field for a proposed T-ball league.
    Messimer is in the beginning stages of planning the league but has already had about a dozen children sign up, the oldest aged 10. She hopes that she'll be able to form two separate teams and play during the regular spring baseball season.
    "I'm a big supporter of youth and recreation, and I think it would be wonderful to get," Recreation Board Chair Bill Marsh said.
    The field under inspection for use is located to the right of Dayton City School, near the band room, according to Marsh. He said the field is roughly half the size of a normal baseball field and has a playground in the right outfield. Messimer had no qualms about the smaller-sized field, noting that the kids probably wouldn't be able to hit the T-ball far.
    During the regular season, baseball players use the field for warm ups, but Marsh said that a new league wouldn't interfere with games.
    Another benefit to using the warm-up field, according to the board, is that it is easily accessible and close to the road.
    Marsh also said the city would cover field maintenance, and Messimer would be responsible for raising funds to purchase necessary equipment. State or national organizations, such as the National Autism Association, could help fund the project, board members told Messimer.
    Despite the unanimous support for the T-ball league for children with disabilities, board members put the decision to permit the league on hold until Messimer could further assess her options for a playing field.
    Marsh said that if Messimer decided the practice field was not a viable option, Green Field, near the Dayton Walking Track, would be the next choice, since that particular field isn't used as much as others, according to Marsh.
    Messimer should be reporting back to the board at its Oct. 8 meeting with her progress on planning the league.
    Michelle Friesen can be reached at michelle.friesen@rheaheraldnews.com.