The municipality of New Taipei City recently inaugurated Taiwan's first baseball and softball fields designed for people with disabilities. The new facility was built at a riverside park in Shulin District. The field built in Lujiaoxi riverside park will be exclusively dedicated to Baseball for the Blind, Wheelchair Softball and people with other disabilities as well.
New Taipei City mayor Hou Youyi said that the number of disabled baseball and softball teams has increased year by year, pushing the need to construct dedicated and specially designed facilities in Taiwan.
The complex covers 1.4 hectares and is an inclusive sports facility built according to the needs of various disabled groups. Two fields have been built in the complex. An artificial turf field is designed for people with physical disabilities, while the other field features natural grass and is more suitable for people who are either visually or hearing impaired. The barrier-free parking lot is also smartly planned, with extra space for the loading of wheelchairs or other special equipment.
The recently launched WBSC Academy published this month an online course as a service to Member Federations, so they could develop the discipline of Baseball for the Blind around the world.
Photo: New Taipei Water Resources Department
