NubAbility Baseball Camp helping kids with limb differences play ball

It is a special experience for kids living with limb differences. This weekend, kids ages four to 17 are taking on a baseball camp with the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium, then the Florida Gulf Coast baseball team at Swanson Stadium.

A game of catch may look different, but at the NubAbility Baseball Camp, that’s where the differences stop.

“Everyone’s an adaptive. Not just everyone has two hands like and different from me,” said Walter.

“Makes me feel happy and comfortable,” Trip Hyndman said.

“I get to go out of school and don’t have to be at school,” said Mason Clark.

Instead, the baseball field is their classroom. The lesson is how to become the best ball players they can be as they go through various drills designed for players with limb differences.

Their coaches not only can relate to their players, but they have played at a high level.

“By giving them that mentor that looks exactly like them, we first put them on the same level. And then, with our experience and our expertise, the kids rise above, and they’re better than their peers,” said Sam Kuhnert, NubAbility Athletics Foundation founder and executive director. “We’re giving them the confidence to know that their difference is just a difference. It’s not a disability. It’s not going to hinder them.”

These aspiring big leaguers took the field at the Minnesota Twins complex. Their dedication and love of the sport impressed two-time MLB all-star, Ian Desmond.

“They don’t feel any pity on themselves. And that they treat themselves and push themselves, if not harder than kids without limb differences,” said Desmond.

They are showing nothing can limit them or their dreams.

“Now I know that people with differences can do whatever they can,” Hyndman said.

“It shows me I can make it if I try hard enough,” said Jimmy Tillman.

A valuable lesson on and off the diamond.

The camp continues on Saturday as the kids head to FGCU where they’ll train with their baseball team.

The majority of the coaches have played college ball. Players traveled from Port Saint Lucie, Alabama, and even Ohio to be part of this two-day camp.