The Savannah River Site's management and operations contractor recently joined a volunteer effort in the community that links special-needs children with exercise and fun on the baseball diamond.
Aiken's Buddy Baseball program is a volunteer league in the area hosted by the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. The annual sporting event provides recreational opportunities and exercise for children with special needs and disabilities with the goal to provide youth sports for all children.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions enrolled its Aspiring Mid-Career Professionals, or AMP, program into the season, which runs during the late spring and early summer months for six weeks.
Matthew Biasiny, an employee with the contractor, spoke about his first year in the league.
"... I can't wait to help out again," said Biasiny. "It's wonderful that the community has a program where these kids can come out to play baseball together and have fun. Some of my fondest memories as a child were playing baseball with my friends."
Volunteers were assigned to help a player, or "buddy," and the 23 volunteers helped the players bat, run the bases and play the infield. During all Buddy Baseball games, no one keeps score, and each player has a chance to hit the ball and run the bases.
Jerry Shedd, head of the Buddy Baseball Board, added, "Buddy Baseball is a way for players to experience the thrill of participating, while also breaking down barriers and fostering friendships. We could not do it without the support of our community members."
AMP is a mid-career professionals' organization that serves Savannah River Nuclear Solutions' full-time employees who have between seven and 20 years of work experience.
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.