The Long Island Bombers are dedicated to educating the community about blindness. Through the game of beep baseball, we provide blind and visually impaired athletes the opportunity to play the game and offer a support network to its members. It is the Bomber's goal to expand educational clinics, speaking engagements and demonstrations throughout the entire region.
Beep baseball athletes utilize their entire body, often diving onto the ground to stop a beeping ball and running full speed toward the sound of a buzzing base to score a run. It is baseball, in a modified version.
There is no second base. First and third bases, four foot padded cylinders with speakers, are placed 100 feet from home plate and 10 feet off the foul line – this is to prevent a runner from colliding with a defensive fielder.
The bases contain a module that buzzes when activated when the batter hits the pitch. The batter does not know which of the two bases will be turned on.
The pitcher and catcher are situated 20 feet apart. Before pitching, the pitcher is obligated to clearly verbalize two words. He/she must say “ready” just before the ball is about to be released. As the ball is approximately released, the pitcher says, “pitch” or “ball.” The catcher and pitcher do not wear blindfolds and are usually sighted.
The 16 – inch circumference beep baseball contains an implanted electronic device that provides players with auditory cues.
Beep baseball generally has 6 innings. The extra innings rules used in major league baseball generally apply to beep baseball.
Defensive players use their bodies and the ground to block and trap hit balls, then pick up the beeping sphere and display it for the umpire’s call.
If contact is made, one of the two bases is activated and then it becomes a race between the runner and the defense. A hit ball must travel at least 40 feet to be considered fair. A ball that travels 180 feet in the air is considered a home run. A hit ball rebounded off the pitcher is ruled no pitch.
There are 6 fielders. Generally a first-baseman, third-baseman, shortstop, left fielder, right fielder, and center fielder. There also are 1 or 2 “spotters” who guide the fielders.
When the batter hits the ball, a base operator turns on one of the two bases (first or third) for the batter to run to. If the batter touches the base before a fielder can pick up the ball, the offensive team scores a run.
It takes 4 strikes for a batter to be out. If a fielder picks up the ball before the batter touches the base then the batter is out.
Practices run from 9 a.m. to noon, weather permitting.
For information about practices or games, contact us at 516.764.2002 or beepball@libombers.org.
The Long Island Bombers survive entirely on individual, private, public and corporate sponsorships. With the help of these generous contributions, our players gain confidence, get a good work out, engage in a warm social environment and enjoy a good competitive atmosphere. Our goal is to expand our educational clinics, speaking engagements and demonstrations throughout the entire region. At these clinics, we can demonstrate to people what it is like to be visually impaired. Thank you to all of our sponsors, supporters and contributors!
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