For More Information: Stephanie Chavira, (210) 467-8635 or stephaniec@ymcasatx.org; or Bob McCullough, APR, (210) 495-5888 or bmccullough@MorgansWonderland.com
SAN ANTONIO, TX, December 6, 2020 – Young athletes with and without disabilities from the YMCA of Greater San Antonio played the first baseball game today at newly-completed Inclusion Field, thus launching a new Inclusive Sports Program between the Y and Morgan’s Wonderland Sports.
Located at the Mays Family YMCA at Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco, Inclusion Field is the YMCA’s first fully-accessible sports facility in San Antonio, said Sandy Morander, Y president and CEO. It was made possible through financial support from The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, which has underwritten projects beneficial to the special-needs community since 2005.
“Thanks to the addition of Inclusion Field and the new Morgan’s Wonderland Sports complex near Morgan’s Wonderland, crossover competitions can become an ongoing experience for athletes with and without special needs,” Morander added. “The long-term expectation is that inclusive teams from Morgan’s Wonderland Sports will play within YMCA leagues in various sports with the objectives of fitness, friendship and fun. This definitely enhances our YMCA mission of providing programs and opportunities for all.”
Gordon Hartman, co-founder of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation and world-renowned outdoor recreational venues such as Morgan’s Wonderland theme park, said Inclusion Field represents “an extension of our desire to expand the Morgan’s Wonderland mission of inclusion and ultra-accessibility™ to other areas of our community. When we play together, we break down barriers and gain a greater understanding of one another.”
The Inclusive Sports Program will include two divisions – youths ages 5 through 17 and adults age 18 and older, and it also will recruit coaches and volunteers who wish to devote their energies to assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For registration and additional information, visit https://MorgansWonderlandSports.sportsngin.com/mws-register. Questions can be directed to info@MorgansWonderland.com.
Inclusion Field, designed primarily for baseball and softball games, offers an accessible synthetic turf infield, a natural grass outfield, a movable pitcher’s mound to accommodate various age groups and three different lengths of base paths, also for different age groups. However, the field is versatile enough for kickball, soccer and various other recreational activities. Additional features include lighting for evening play, restrooms, bleachers, ample parking and a paved entrance from the parking lot to the field.
For over 143 years, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio has worked to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With their doors open to all, the Y ensures that everyone has the chance to learn, grow and thrive, regardless of age, income, ability, ethnicity or faith. For more information, visit www.ymcasatx.org.
New, non-profit Morgan’s Wonderland Sports, a 3-acre, ultra-accessible™ complex located at 5025 David Edwards Drive near Morgan’s Wonderland, enables athletes young and older to participate in multiple sports. For more information, visit www.MorgansWonderlandSports.com.
