Welcome to all things DREAM TEAM!
What is Dream Team Northern Michigan:
History:
January 2015, a group of inspired baseball parents and special-needs educators established a baseball league to include youths, teens, and young adults, ages 8-26, with disabilities or special health care needs. The goal was to bring the joy of the sport to players of all abilities. The inaugural season’s opening day was May 9, 2015 held on the softball fields at NMC. The Dream Team’s first season filled a roster of 22 players and over 60 volunteers provided on the field support. Players were greeted by a color guard from the American Legion and members from the Traverse City Central High School Marching Band.
Within a few years The Dream Team had grown to a roster of 75 players (2023 season had 88 players) and could field 6 teams (3 Junior Teams and 3 Senior Teams.) Also, during this time players were able to participate in an annual All-Star game and picnic traveling to Grand Rapids. Bussing and chaperones were provided as well as game day shirts, posters and plenty of home town spirit. The All-Star game in Grand Rapids continues to be a post season tradition.
The Dream Team is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive baseball experience. The amazing volunteers, coaches and player-partners are the key to every successful season. They play a vital role ensuring safety, enthusiasm, and develop friendships on and off the field. Partner players play alongside Dream Team players providing 1:1 assistance, if needed. Some players require hand-over-hand help, while others need nothing but a few high fives and a “way to go!” The emphasis is on inclusion and FUN!
The Dream Team Northern MI is a registered 501©3 organization. Due to generous donors and local grants received there is no cost to participate All equipment (bats, mitts, catcher’s gear, etc.) as well as uniforms and hats are provided to each player. Fund raising efforts continue year-round supporting the commitment of keeping participation at no cost to players and families.
The Dream Team’s ultimate vision is to build a universally accessible baseball field designed for ALL players. The field would feature a specially designed surface with inlaid bases, spacious and flat dug-out areas allowing wheelchair access. In addition, it would also include accessible bathrooms, caregiver rooms, batting cages, and a bleacher/spectator section designed to include wheelchair access. This facility would be Northern Michigan’s only universally accessible baseball field. Stay tuned for more!
Within a few years The Dream Team had grown to a roster of 75 players (2023 season had 88 players) and could field 6 teams (3 Junior Teams and 3 Senior Teams.) Also, during this time players were able to participate in an annual All-Star game and picnic traveling to Grand Rapids. Bussing and chaperones were provided as well as game day shirts, posters and plenty of home town spirit. The All-Star game in Grand Rapids continues to be a post season tradition.
The Dream Team is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive baseball experience. The amazing volunteers, coaches and player-partners are the key to every successful season. They play a vital role ensuring safety, enthusiasm, and develop friendships on and off the field. Partner players play alongside Dream Team players providing 1:1 assistance, if needed. Some players require hand-over-hand help, while others need nothing but a few high fives and a “way to go!” The emphasis is on inclusion and FUN!
The Dream Team Northern MI is a registered 501©3 organization. Due to generous donors and local grants received there is no cost to participate All equipment (bats, mitts, catcher’s gear, etc.) as well as uniforms and hats are provided to each player. Fund raising efforts continue year-round supporting the commitment of keeping participation at no cost to players and families.
The Dream Team’s ultimate vision is to build a universally accessible baseball field designed for ALL players. The field would feature a specially designed surface with inlaid bases, spacious and flat dug-out areas allowing wheelchair access. In addition, it would also include accessible bathrooms, caregiver rooms, batting cages, and a bleacher/spectator section designed to include wheelchair access. This facility would be Northern Michigan’s only universally accessible baseball field. Stay tuned for more!
More Info...
How Dream Team Works:
The DREAM TEAM is a co-ed baseball league formed to include youths, teens, and young adults, ages 8-26, with disabilities. Partner players will play alongside Dream Team players and will provide assistance, as needed.
The DREAM TEAM is a co-ed baseball league formed to include youths, teens, and young adults, ages 8-26, with disabilities. Partner players will play alongside Dream Team players and will provide assistance, as needed.
PLAYER-PARTNER: Partner players are invited volunteers who play alongside Dream Team players. Dream Team players will be paired with player-partners from local baseball and softball teams (although other sports teams are welcome, ie. football, soccer, hockey, etc.) Player-partners will assist during play on the field and will assist Dream Team players with baseball skills, mobility and support all players. Partner players MUST be supervised by their participating team coach or designated parent volunteer. Partner players will also wear their own team uniform and must adhere to Dream Team rules and guidelines. Partner players do not need to commit to an entire season and will be placed with Dream Team players upon availability. If your group is interested in being Player-Partners please contact: Dayna Ryan at [email protected] or Susan Fall at [email protected]
TIMELINE: The Dream Team’s first pitch for the 2024 season will be thrown Saturday, May 11th. The 2024 schedule can be found on our "Dream Team Schedule" page, or by clicking here! Games are scheduled for Saturday mornings through noon at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center baseball fields, (see game schedule page as updates are announced).
COACHES: Coaches are currently being recruited, with priority given to those who have experience working with those with disabilities. Practices are at the discretion of the coaches. Dream Team organizers will not schedule practices.
OTHER VOLUNTEER NEEDS: Behind every successful baseball league is a team of volunteers. The Dream Teams will need; team managers, bench coaches, coach pitchers, refreshments organized, cheerleaders, and more!! Any volunteers ages 18 and older (excluding student player partners) working directly with the players must submit to a back ground screening conducted by Dream Team coordinators. Please refer to the "FORMS" section to locate our Volunteer form, fill it out and submit for consideration.
GAME RULES: Empowerment, Skill Development, Safety, and Fun are the primary rules for The Dream Team. The overriding goal is to make sure everyone can play! Every player will play. Games will have a time limit. Score keeping is at the discretion of the coaches. Players may choose to hit off a baseball tee or hit off a coach pitcher. At the 3rd strike of coach pitch, a player must use a baseball tee. Game format regarding; outs/innings/bat around are at the desecration of the coaches.
Dream Team contact:
Dayna Ryan
[email protected]
TIMELINE: The Dream Team’s first pitch for the 2024 season will be thrown Saturday, May 11th. The 2024 schedule can be found on our "Dream Team Schedule" page, or by clicking here! Games are scheduled for Saturday mornings through noon at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center baseball fields, (see game schedule page as updates are announced).
COACHES: Coaches are currently being recruited, with priority given to those who have experience working with those with disabilities. Practices are at the discretion of the coaches. Dream Team organizers will not schedule practices.
OTHER VOLUNTEER NEEDS: Behind every successful baseball league is a team of volunteers. The Dream Teams will need; team managers, bench coaches, coach pitchers, refreshments organized, cheerleaders, and more!! Any volunteers ages 18 and older (excluding student player partners) working directly with the players must submit to a back ground screening conducted by Dream Team coordinators. Please refer to the "FORMS" section to locate our Volunteer form, fill it out and submit for consideration.
GAME RULES: Empowerment, Skill Development, Safety, and Fun are the primary rules for The Dream Team. The overriding goal is to make sure everyone can play! Every player will play. Games will have a time limit. Score keeping is at the discretion of the coaches. Players may choose to hit off a baseball tee or hit off a coach pitcher. At the 3rd strike of coach pitch, a player must use a baseball tee. Game format regarding; outs/innings/bat around are at the desecration of the coaches.
Dream Team contact:
Dayna Ryan
[email protected]
Check out the video from our inaugural 2015 season: