Duncan Brings Inspirational Message to Rotary

 

(From L to R: Christian Hamilton, Taylor Duncan, Leon Womack)

 

Taylor Duncan, the founder and director of Alternative Baseball, offered an impassioned presentation to the Toccoa Rotary Club on Tuesday.

Duncan answers the question what is Alternative Baseball? “Alternative baseball provides an authentic baseball experience to teens and adults 15 years old and over with autism and other disabilities” says Duncan; “We provide it in an environment where players are accepted for who they are, encouraged to be the best they can be, and instill confidence for each one to fulfill their dreams in life on and off the baseball diamond.”

Duncan has broken many barriers of preconceptions of what one with autism can and cannot accomplish. “I was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. I had a lot of developmental delays such as speech, anxiety, and social issues growing up, and I faced social stigma which kept me out of playing traditional baseball.”

In 2018, Duncan was awarded House Resolution 1420 by the Georgia State House of Representatives for his work in Alternative Baseball. Duncan was also the 2019 recipient of the J.B. Hawkins Humanitarian Award at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in 2019, was recently commemorated as a Community Hero by the Atlanta Braves organization, and has been featured on ESPN Baseball Tonight, and the Today Show among others.

Duncan has programs in and around Atlanta and Columbus and wants to bring Alternative Baseball to Toccoa. “Since 2016, we have provided this experience, and now we are looking to bring this experience to serve the people of Toccoa and surrounding areas in Northeast Georgia and the Carolinas.”

Duncan says he is ready to get the program started, but needs your help. “We are looking for volunteers, and a coach/manager. Baseball experience is preferred, but what we really want is someone with the heart to really provide this opportunity to play traditional baseball with traditional rules. The only adaptation is the ball that we use that is slightly larger and softer than a regulation size baseball, and that is to accommodate those of all skill levels. Everyone plays independently, we play with the same rule set as seen on TV, as seen with the Atlanta Braves.”

Duncan encourages everyone to get on board with making Alternative Baseball happen here. “We encourage you to be a part of this movement. Why? Because inclusion matters.”

Duncan, from Dallas, Georgia was recently accepted as a student at Toccoa Falls College and will be working to earn a non-profit administration degree online.

For more information or to get involved go to www.alternativebaseball.org. There you will find forms to participate, coach, volunteer, or umpire.