The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) kicked off “Inclusion Week” this week to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as the organizations that benefit these groups. Starting on July 7th, teams across the league began hosting “Inclusion Night” to celebrate this wonderful group in their respective communities.

Donned in special alternate jerseys, the Newport Gulls kicked off this week’s festivities on Monday at Cardines Field in Newport. Prior to the doubleheader against the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks, individuals and players joined together in a pre-game yoga session, followed by kickball and wiffle ball matches. Gully and Gully Junior, the Newport mascots, surprised the players with special appearances. Blades, the Boston Bruins mascot, made an appearance as well to celebrate the night. Sponsored by the Newport Mansions, this opening night was a great success in this year’s edition of NECBL Inclusion Week.

The Vermont Mountaineers and Mystic Schooners, while not having their official Inclusion Nights until later in the week, took the 7th to honor front-line workers. Vermont hosted Hometown Heroes Night, while Mystic celebrated First Responder Night. 

Vermont continued its Inclusion Week celebration on Tuesday, traveling to the Heaton Woods Residence, an assisted living facility in Montpelier, Vermont. There, players and coaches played wiffle ball with residents, who would later join the team at Montpelier Recreation Field to support the Mountaineers against the Upper Valley Nighthawks. 

The Bristol Blues and Sanford Mainers joined in hosting their official inclusion nights on Tuesday as well. Sponsored by the Bristol Adult Resource Center, the Blues hosted a pregame scrimmage between the Bristol Challengers, a team accommodating players with disabilities, and the Blues' NECBL roster. After the scrimmage and throughout the game against Newport, fans could head to the Sensory Zone on the concourse to get a break from the action.

Although Sanford’s contest against the Keene SwampBats was suspended due to rain, they still had a great agenda planned for the community. Presented by Kennebunk Savings, who helped make the night free admission for all, the Mainers offered visual aids and interpreters for hearing and visually impaired fans, a much-applauded addition, according to Sanford’s Office & Sales Manager Andrea Knight.

“Over and over again, people shared with me that certain resources like visual aids and clearly identifiable volunteers made experiencing new spaces less overwhelming,” Knight said. “Family members assisting their loved ones shared that designating a space with a quiet activity or out of the mayhem would be an important feature that helps not only individuals but the people supporting them.”

Additionally, a pregame ceremony was held to celebrate Ajay Beaudion and Ashley Stasulis, two Special Olympics athletes who competed internationally in Italy this year. A representative from Living Innovations, a group that provides support for individuals with long-term illnesses or developmental disabilities, was present to assist in the pregame festivities. Lastly, Sanford provided immersive opportunities throughout the stadium so fans could take in the experience and learn more about the great causes in the community. Despite the rain, it was a successful night for the Mainers community.

“After events like Inclusion Night, you can't help but feel like you participated in something special,” said Knight. “We have a unique opportunity to engage with our fans in a lighthearted but impactful way. Our regular attending fans had the benefit of a free admission home game, and once they were inside the park, we had the benefit of introducing them to vital organizations within our community.”

Stay tuned for part two of the Inclusion Week story, as Keene and Vermont host their inclusion nights later in the week!

The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a wooden bat college summer league that fields teams in all six New England states. Partially funded by Major League Baseball, the New England League started play in 1994 and has sent over 230 alumni to the Major Leagues with nearly 30 alumni taken in the first round of the MLB Draft. For continuing coverage of the NECBL, visit NECBL.com and follow the league on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook.