Tyler's Visually Impaired Baseball Team Practices for World Series

The 'beep ball' team has been defying the odds for nearly 30 years.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:08am

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A vibrant, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a 'beep ball' game, with the players and field fragmented into overlapping geometric shapes and planes of bold, primary colors.The Tyler Tigers' 'beep ball' team demonstrates the power of inclusive sports to unite communities and empower the visually impaired.Tyler Today

A baseball team in Tyler, Texas, called the Tyler Tigers, has been playing 'beep ball' for almost 30 years. Most of the team members are visually impaired, but they compete in this all-inclusive sport where the bases and ball beep to help the players navigate the field. The team is coached by Larry Reed, who is visually impaired himself, and they are currently practicing for the upcoming World Series competition.

Why it matters

The Tyler Tigers' 'beep ball' team provides an opportunity for the visually impaired community to participate in America's favorite pastime. The team aims to show the sighted community that disabilities are not limits, and to promote inclusivity in sports.

The details

In 'beep ball', the bases and ball make beeping sounds to help the visually impaired players locate them. There are only first and third bases to avoid collisions. At least two sighted people are on the field to call out the direction of the ball to prevent players from running into each other. The sport is open to both visually impaired and sighted players, who can participate by wearing blindfolds.

  • The Tyler Tigers have been playing 'beep ball' for almost 30 years.
  • The team is currently practicing for the upcoming World Series competition in July.

The players

Larry Reed

The coach of the Tyler Tigers, who is visually impaired himself.

Ronald Jordan

A player on the Tyler Tigers team who grew up wanting to play football but found his place in 'beep ball'.

Dean Stewart

A small business owner who learned about the Tyler Tigers and wanted to support the team and make them feel like they belong in the community.

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What they’re saying

“It's a great sport for the blind, but also to show the sighted that we are out here competing and doing things that we never had the opportunity to do.”

— Larry Reed, Coach

“I never really thought about playing baseball, I just wanted to play football. But I saw him tackle the base like it was a football player. So I thought, like wow this is baseball and softball, it's mixed in one so I thought that was pretty interesting.”

— Ronald Jordan, Player

“I've never seen it, much less being around it for 28 years, I was shocked that I haven't ever seen this before… I just wanted them to feel the support of the community. And anything I could do to help, make them feel like they belonged, and that they deserve to be here just like everyone else.”

— Dean Stewart, Small Business Owner

What’s next

The Tyler Tigers are training hard to compete in the World Series competition later in July.

The takeaway

The Tyler Tigers' 'beep ball' team is a remarkable example of how sports can be made inclusive for the visually impaired community, providing them the opportunity to participate in America's favorite pastime and showcase their abilities.