RADIO 850 Angel League Softball for Special Needs

The 850 Angel League, a softball league for special needs individuals, will hold its first practice session on May 2 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Chester Pruitt Field in Fort Walton Beach. There are no tryouts and all ages welcome.

League season will run May through August with practice every Monday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Interested first-time players are invited to register at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center (132 Jet Drive NW) to obtain login credentials and proof of age for minors. Otherwise, returning players can register online.

The City of Fort Walton Beach began offering this program in 2023 to “to ensure every boy/girl gets their best opportunity in baseball/softball and in life.” The City’s recreation department worked with local professionals to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all participants.

While kids with disabilities are reminded of their weaknesses on a daily basis, the Angel League offers a positive and valuable opportunity for individuals with special needs to enjoy healthy social and athletic interactions with others. The activities are modified to provide all participants a chance to play with each attendee learning how to pitch, catch, run the bases, throw the ball, and play with a team of other children to the level of their ability.

As one parent shared at the Aspen Institute, “[e]very kid deserves to feel like they belong somewhere. Sports are uniquely capable of offering this to kids who have more challenges than solutions, more questions than answers, and more places where they don’t belong than those where they do. In short, because everyone wins.”

You can email Coach Jewel Lacross with any questions.