Case Study: Bringing Beep Baseball to Life

In the world of adaptive sports, beep baseball shines as a beacon of inclusivity. This sport is offering athletes with blindness or low vision the chance to compete and thrive. When NewView Oklahoma (NVO) set out to host a multi-day beep baseball tournament, they knew the stakes were high. In partnership with NewView, DevMar brought a sincere dedication to creating an exceptional experience for more than 100 athletes and guests from multiple states. An experience where accessibility was thoughtfully built into every detail of the competition.

Strategy Overview

Executing a multi-day beep baseball tournament takes more than a field and a schedule. It requires a thoughtful strategy that considers every detail—from the athlete experience to community engagement. DevMar focused on precise coordination and strong partnerships with key stakeholders to bring the vision to life for this event.

Collaboration

The foundation of the tournament’s success was built on strong collaboration with the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA). By aligning with the NBBA’s guidelines and leveraging their expertise, we were able to ensure that the tournament adhered to the highest standards of competitive play while accommodating the unique needs of blind athletes.

Engagement with Visit Norman

Recognizing the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere for out-of-state participants, we partnered with Visit Norman to enhance the event’s tourism elements. Visit  Norman played a key role in promoting the tournament to the local community. Their partnership ensured that the athletes and their guests experienced the best of what the city had to offer. This collaboration not only elevated the profile of the event but also fostered a sense of community and support for the athletes.

Coordination with Host Hotel

Accessibility was a top priority in every aspect of the tournament, including accommodations. We supported NewView Oklahoma in working closely with the host hotel to guarantee that the specific needs of all athletes were met. From ensuring accessible rooms and common areas to providing support services tailored to individuals with visual loss, the hotel was a crucial partner in delivering a comfortable and accommodating stay for all participants.

Tournament Logistics

The logistics of organizing a multi-day tournament with teams from multiple states required careful planning and execution. Managing the complex process of securing umpires, arranging scorekeepers, coordinating team registrations, and maintaining clear and consistent communication with all teams involved required all hands on deck. This level of coordination ensured that the tournament ran smoothly, allowing athletes to focus on their performance on the field.

Promotion, Media Coordination and Live Streaming:

To broaden the reach and impact of the event, we worked to implement a media strategy that included coordinating with local media outlets. This strategy also involved live streaming the tournament to allow supporters from across the country to witness the games in real time. By amplifying the visibility of the event, We were able to help NewView Oklahoma highlight the importance of adaptive sports and the achievements of the athletes. We also helped facilitate the design of a commemorative event t-shirt, and developed all event branding.

Results:

• Executed a successful opening event to kick the tournament off
• Hosted over 100 athletes who are legally blind, and provided a safe experience despite incliment weather
• Successfully raised over $61K for an event that cost $20K to put on, resulting in over $40K of unrestricted funding for the non-profit, year one of the event
• Successful live streaming of the event and significant media coverage secured

Learn more about our event and experience services here.