It was a hit.
From Wesley Chapel to Land O’ Lakes, the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department had itself quite the day — Adaptive Sports Day at Wesley Chapel District Park, as well as the “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby at the baseball fields at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex — with both events held on April 15.
The activities were timed to bring attention to Autism Awareness Month, which is April, as well as to highlight the department’s Pasco Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (P.A.I.R) program, which provides active events and activities for those with disabilities.
“I think we had a great turn out!” said Scarlet Lawhorne, recreation leader at Wesley Chapel Recreation Center. “Everyone had a great time and we’re happy with how it all turned out. We’re definitely going to try to make it a yearly thing and hopefully see even more (adaptive sports athletes) come out.”
Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller said these two events were put on specifically this month as the department’s initiative to provide more adaptive sports for the county.
“While we have (P.A.I.R activities) all year long, this was our way of doing things during April for Autism Awareness Month,” she added.
At Adaptive Sports Day, about a dozen or so youth and adult participants with disabilities were able to give four adaptive sports — tennis, pickleball, basketball and archery — a try. While pickleball and tennis — put on by volunteers from the Sarah Vande Berg Foundation and USTA Florida, respectively — were brought into the gym because of the heat, archery and basketball were kept outside, with the latter sport seeing some fierce competition. That included stellar play from Team USA Wheelchair Basketball point guard Paul Schulte, who is a two-time Paralympic medalist.
Adaptive Sports Day only cost $5 per athlete and it provided sport wheelchairs for those who might not have them.
Over in Land O’ Lakes, the “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby had a couple dozen hitters pre-register and participate, however, organizers who braved the heat at the all-day event during Little League and softball games saw a lot of walk-ups pay just $3 for seven swings to be crowned home run champion.
In all, the organizers added, the department made a few hundred dollars off the home run derby, with those proceeds going to the P.A.I.R program.
“It was a great day, with these events,” Miller said. “We love getting this kind of support from the community for (the P.A.I.R) program and our department.
Published April 26, 2023
