CLEVELAND, Ohio — Taylor Duncan, 27, didn’t have opportunities growing up to participate in traditional baseball programs due to limitations others set for him.
“I faced a lot of social stigma, a lot of negative perceptions and perceived limitations of what one with autism can and cannot accomplish,” said Duncan, the founder of Alternative Baseball Organization.
Duncan was often cut from the team or benched by coaches who didn’t understand his abilities.
“He deemed me as too much of an injury risk, and he was more focused toward winning,” Duncan recalled of one of his coaches.
But being on the autism spectrum didn’t stop Duncan; it motivated him to create a league of his own. He launched the Alternative Baseball Organization in his Georgia hometown in 2016. It’s an authentic baseball experience for teens and adults 15 years of age and older living with autism and other disabilities.
Four years later, the organization has 74 teams across 31 states.
“Sports always unite us together, and that’s what we’re going to do is unite the autism community and beyond together and show people—show the general community—that we are capable,” Duncan said. “America’s pastime is a perfect fit because everyone has the opportunity to contribute in their own ways in the batter’s lineup; everyone has an equal chance to be able to be the one to field the ball and make play in the field. You don’t know where it’s going to be here, too. But if it’s you, you have the chance to be able to make the play.”
Each coach and staff member in the Alternative Baseball Organization is a volunteer , and although the COVID-19 pandemic has put a pause on game play, Duncan said the organization has used the downtime to expand and recruit more coaches and start more teams in 12 additional states, including Ohio.
“We learned how to adapt with that and continue to try to figure out innovative ways to continue growing and promoting our story and our mission because one day we will be back on the field,” Duncan said. “That’s why we’re in Columbus right now, and that’s why we have interest in Cincinnati from those who want to play and volunteer there. And we want to get something going up in the Cleveland area.”
Duncan said the nine-inning games are played using the classic version of the professional baseball rules. Having the chance to be in the lineup enhances players’ physical and social skills for life on and off the baseball diamond.
“Those are all skills that are going to be needed, and the work sector, because there are those… that go outside of our program that now know that they have someone that said, yes, you can,” Duncan said. “They’re wondering what else they can accomplish, so they’re going out and trying to get employment, trying to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. They want to do those things that they were previously denied.”
Duncan said one they start reaching their goals, the accomplishments don’t end.
“Now they’ve broken the glass ceiling. Once you break that glass ceiling, the sky is the limit,” Duncan said.
