Baseball Buddies Receives $25,000 Grant

Baseball Buddies, a program for special needs children, received its largest contribution ever as the April recipient of the Coachella Valley Spotlight. They received a $25,000 grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. 

“We are blessed with this gift from the Berger Foundation,” said Lisa Manning, whose high school son, Conrad Manning, started the program in 2007 so that his special needs brother could have a team experience. “This program touches their lives in ways you can’t imagine. Watching self confidence blossom in our children is incredibly rewarding.” 

The program gives children with physical and/or emotional challenges the ability to play baseball on a team. Each player is paired with a teen buddy who assists a player throughout the game. The program started with seven children and has already grown to 40 players and 40 buddies this year. The players and their buddies are able to bat, run the bases, pitch and most importantly be a part of a team. Registration, uniforms, equipment, photos, team parties and trophies are provided at no cost to the families.   

“The Berger Foundation gift means more kids can participate in Baseball Buddies,” said Jordan Martinez, the buddy who recruits most of the group’s volunteers. “Our dream would be to never turn a family away. There is so much pride in the stands as families watch their kids just having fun.”  

Players and their families come from as far away as Yucca Valley and Coachella, and everywhere in between. Because practices and games are only held in Palm Desert, some funds help families with transportation and gas. 

“Baseball Buddies is creating a league for those who might otherwise be left on the sidelines,” said Christopher McGuire, Vice President of Programs at the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.