For the third year in a row, Friendship Park in Picayune will host Buddy Ball, a baseball league for disabled children and adults.

The Kiwanis Club of the Greater Picayune Area sponsors the baseball league, which allows participants to sign up and play for free, Picayune Parks and Recreation Director Trevor Adam said.

Before working for the city of Picayune, Adam said he was a special education assistant at Bay High School and after taking over as Parks and Recreation Director for the city, he wanted to create an event where children and adults with special needs had the opportunity to play baseball.

After Adam shared his idea with Corey Dorn and Christa Groom and with the help of the community, the first event took place in 2016 with a second being held the year after.

“Our first year we had 60 participants and last year we had 73,” Adam said. “We’re hoping to have more participants this year and include participants from all over southern Mississippi.”

Buddy Ball is open to children and adults with special needs who are 5-years-old and older. The season lasts about six weeks and participants play in about eight games, Adam said.

Each volunteer in Buddy Ball is assigned a participant, whom they will help swing the bat or throw the ball.

At the moment, Adam said he is working on setting up the final schedule but expects the league to begin in about mid-March. Games are expected to be played on Thursdays and Fridays.

Anyone interested in volunteering or participating in Buddy Ball can email Adam at tadam@picayune.ms.us or visit pyaabaseball.net.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped us continue this event and see the positive impact it has had on our community,” Adam said. “I believe everyone should have a chance to play and I hope the baseball league continues to grow in the future.”