Photo by: Mia Nishanian
Spartan Baseball And Softball Host Beautiful Lives Project Field of Dreams Event
9/28/2023 5:02:00 PM | Baseball, Softball
MSU welcomes Bryce Weiler’s nonprofit organization for second-straight year.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State's baseball and softball teams joined up to host the Beautiful Lives Project Field of Dreams event with co-founder Bryce Weiler Thursday afternoon at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field.
Beautiful Lives Project provides people with disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in activities and events that may not have been available to them previously due to physical or facility limitations.Â
Nearly 100 people participated in the event, which MSU baseball and softball hosted for the second year in a row. Student-athletes from the Spartan baseball and softball teams went through different drills and activities with the students, ranging from playing catch to running the bases, fielding, pitching and hitting.
"We had a bunch of kids from the Lansing area come out and get a chance to play baseball and softball with our MSU baseball and softball teams, so it was a lot of fun for our players and the softball team. Most importantly, the kids that came out I think had a ball and that's what it's all about," MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "On the baseball side of it, it's important for our guys to understand the importance of giving back. I think it helps our guys appreciate what we do have. I think they understand the platform that they're given and the responsibility that comes with that platform. And most importantly, it's a chance to put a smile on somebody's face. If not for an afternoon, for maybe an hour, and when these kids light up running the bases or playing catch, or when they hit a ball and their face lights up again, that's what it's all about."Â
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Despite a large portion of participants needing to depart early to return to school, after all the on-field activities were completed, everyone took a group photo, Student-athletes from Spartan baseball and softball teams then  took individual photos with the kids and signed autographs, and a dance-off even broke out.
"This is an awesome event. It's so cool for our players to come out here and serve our community and hang out with some young kids and just teach them the game, but just really have fun," MSU softball head coach Coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley said.
Weiler was excited to come back to MSU, and the Spartans were excited to host the event for the second year in a row. Last year, Michigan State was the first collegiate baseball and softball programs in the country to host a Beautiful Lives Project event.
"I'm very grateful for Michigan State baseball and softball, this is the second event we've done with the two teams and they were the first-ever college baseball and college softball teams who were willing to do these events with the Beautiful Lives Project, so it means a lot to me to be able to come back," Weiler said. "Coach Boss from baseball and Coach McDonald-Kelley from softball have been very great to work with and help with this event."
Weiler and the Lansing Lugnuts hosted a Field of Dreams event last spring at Jackson Field, and several members of the Lugnuts' organization were on hand for Thursday's event.
"Everyone has a great time, whether it's with the Lugnuts players or here with the Michigan State players, and also the schools continuing to believe in these events and taking education outside of the classroom, giving the students the opportunity to have life-changing moments and opportunities," Weiler said. "It's a good mixture of teaching skills in the event, while also giving people the chance to create friendships with the baseball and softball players and the coaches as well from both teams."
MSU baseball student-athlete Noah Matheny filled several roles throughout Thursday's event, and not only had a fun time, but it also left a lasting impression on him.
"Today I've been doing a bit of everything, I've been an outfielder, I've been a catcher, Â I've been an umpire, I've been a friend, and really, I've been somebody that they look up to, which is the most important," Matheny said. "I think it just puts into perspective how fortunate we are and to be a part of something that is of this magnitude is really humbling. I'm really extremely thankful for that."
The anticipation for the event was high throughout the baseball and softball programs leading up to Thursday.
"I think our players love it. They've been talking about it all week. They love the opportunities especially to work with kids, a lot of them love kids so much and they all love their sport. So it's just a fun time to put both together," McDonald-Kelley said. "Anytime that you can get together and serve other people and serve each other, that's something we talk about a lot within our team and within our unit. So to be able to practice and do that, it's always a great thing."
The impact and joy from Thursday's event was meaningful for the student-athletes as well. MSU softball sophomore outfielder Hailey Bila shared in that happiness, as the event made a lasting impact.
"We've seen lots of laughter and just happiness all around today. It's a fun sport and people are getting to play it and have fun," Bila said. "I am super excited that I got to have this experience just helping others and giving back to my community and something that I love to do. To be with those who are less fortunate and are not able to play it like we do, it just makes you think about the opportunities that you have as a college athlete and makes you a lot more grateful."
The impact of the event is something that lasts beyond just one day.
"We certainly benefit a lot from that, but our focus is obviously creating experience for these kids when they get here doing it year-in and year-out, I think it's something that a lot of these kids from the Lansing area really look forward to and it's a date that's circled on their calendar," Boss said.
McDonald-Kelley echoed her baseball counterpart, and is proud to team up to give back to the community that means so much to MSU.
"I think it's huge. We love the chance, any chance we have to get together and do something like this and to see it grow is fun," McDonald-Kelley said. "The community can expect something like this every year and expect that we will be here for them, just like they are for us. So it's a great way to show our love."
While Michigan State was the first collegiate baseball and softball programs in the country to have an Beautiful Lives Project event, the Spartans are excited to see it spread.
"I would love to see more kids come out and for more schools and more teams in similar positions, who was involved because there's nothing but positive energy that comes from this, to be part of something that's bigger than baseball is more than I could have ever asked for," Matheny said. "So just to see the spread and the growth of activities and partnerships like this with the community and it's really something that I think is amazing."
For more information on the Beautiful Lives Project, visit www.beautifullives.org.
Â
Beautiful Lives Project provides people with disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in activities and events that may not have been available to them previously due to physical or facility limitations.Â
Nearly 100 people participated in the event, which MSU baseball and softball hosted for the second year in a row. Student-athletes from the Spartan baseball and softball teams went through different drills and activities with the students, ranging from playing catch to running the bases, fielding, pitching and hitting.
"We had a bunch of kids from the Lansing area come out and get a chance to play baseball and softball with our MSU baseball and softball teams, so it was a lot of fun for our players and the softball team. Most importantly, the kids that came out I think had a ball and that's what it's all about," MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "On the baseball side of it, it's important for our guys to understand the importance of giving back. I think it helps our guys appreciate what we do have. I think they understand the platform that they're given and the responsibility that comes with that platform. And most importantly, it's a chance to put a smile on somebody's face. If not for an afternoon, for maybe an hour, and when these kids light up running the bases or playing catch, or when they hit a ball and their face lights up again, that's what it's all about."Â
Â
We had a blast teaming up with @MSU_Softball to host @BryceWeiler and the Beautiful Lives Project today!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) September 28, 2023
Tune in to @WLNS at 6 pm for more on today's event!!#GoGreen | #SpartansWill pic.twitter.com/clPJcRnUQv
Despite a large portion of participants needing to depart early to return to school, after all the on-field activities were completed, everyone took a group photo, Student-athletes from Spartan baseball and softball teams then  took individual photos with the kids and signed autographs, and a dance-off even broke out.
"This is an awesome event. It's so cool for our players to come out here and serve our community and hang out with some young kids and just teach them the game, but just really have fun," MSU softball head coach Coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley said.
Weiler was excited to come back to MSU, and the Spartans were excited to host the event for the second year in a row. Last year, Michigan State was the first collegiate baseball and softball programs in the country to host a Beautiful Lives Project event.
"I'm very grateful for Michigan State baseball and softball, this is the second event we've done with the two teams and they were the first-ever college baseball and college softball teams who were willing to do these events with the Beautiful Lives Project, so it means a lot to me to be able to come back," Weiler said. "Coach Boss from baseball and Coach McDonald-Kelley from softball have been very great to work with and help with this event."
Weiler and the Lansing Lugnuts hosted a Field of Dreams event last spring at Jackson Field, and several members of the Lugnuts' organization were on hand for Thursday's event.
"Everyone has a great time, whether it's with the Lugnuts players or here with the Michigan State players, and also the schools continuing to believe in these events and taking education outside of the classroom, giving the students the opportunity to have life-changing moments and opportunities," Weiler said. "It's a good mixture of teaching skills in the event, while also giving people the chance to create friendships with the baseball and softball players and the coaches as well from both teams."
MSU baseball student-athlete Noah Matheny filled several roles throughout Thursday's event, and not only had a fun time, but it also left a lasting impression on him.
"Today I've been doing a bit of everything, I've been an outfielder, I've been a catcher, Â I've been an umpire, I've been a friend, and really, I've been somebody that they look up to, which is the most important," Matheny said. "I think it just puts into perspective how fortunate we are and to be a part of something that is of this magnitude is really humbling. I'm really extremely thankful for that."
The anticipation for the event was high throughout the baseball and softball programs leading up to Thursday.
"I think our players love it. They've been talking about it all week. They love the opportunities especially to work with kids, a lot of them love kids so much and they all love their sport. So it's just a fun time to put both together," McDonald-Kelley said. "Anytime that you can get together and serve other people and serve each other, that's something we talk about a lot within our team and within our unit. So to be able to practice and do that, it's always a great thing."
The impact and joy from Thursday's event was meaningful for the student-athletes as well. MSU softball sophomore outfielder Hailey Bila shared in that happiness, as the event made a lasting impact.
"We've seen lots of laughter and just happiness all around today. It's a fun sport and people are getting to play it and have fun," Bila said. "I am super excited that I got to have this experience just helping others and giving back to my community and something that I love to do. To be with those who are less fortunate and are not able to play it like we do, it just makes you think about the opportunities that you have as a college athlete and makes you a lot more grateful."
The impact of the event is something that lasts beyond just one day.
"We certainly benefit a lot from that, but our focus is obviously creating experience for these kids when they get here doing it year-in and year-out, I think it's something that a lot of these kids from the Lansing area really look forward to and it's a date that's circled on their calendar," Boss said.
McDonald-Kelley echoed her baseball counterpart, and is proud to team up to give back to the community that means so much to MSU.
"I think it's huge. We love the chance, any chance we have to get together and do something like this and to see it grow is fun," McDonald-Kelley said. "The community can expect something like this every year and expect that we will be here for them, just like they are for us. So it's a great way to show our love."
While Michigan State was the first collegiate baseball and softball programs in the country to have an Beautiful Lives Project event, the Spartans are excited to see it spread.
"I would love to see more kids come out and for more schools and more teams in similar positions, who was involved because there's nothing but positive energy that comes from this, to be part of something that's bigger than baseball is more than I could have ever asked for," Matheny said. "So just to see the spread and the growth of activities and partnerships like this with the community and it's really something that I think is amazing."
For more information on the Beautiful Lives Project, visit www.beautifullives.org.
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