WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Over the summer, we brought you the story of a father who wanted to create an alternative baseball team, and his dream is now a reality.


What You Need To Know

  • Kenneth Laird is the general manager of the Carolina Bees Alternative Baseball team

  • All players have autism or other developmental issues

  • The team plays by the MLB rules when playing games

Saturday, the Alternative Baseball Organization held an all-star game for the Winston-Salem Carolina Bees, Beckley West Virginia Mianeers and the Gastonia Carolina Fireflies.

“Alternative baseball is all about breaking barriers and allowing people to see that people with disabilities can still do some phenomenal incredible things. It also breaks barriers to show people that people with disabilities can still be incredible athletic, as shown today,” said Kenneth Laird, general manager of the Carolina Bees Alternative Baseball team.

The all-star game was held inside the Truist Stadium in downtown Winston-Salem. Thirty-three players played seven innings of baseball, playing by professional league rules and taking away many life lessons.

“Keep playing best of my ability. I love Special Olympics and it’s my destiny to try to go and I never been places I’ve never been playing baseball,” said Willie Andrews, a Carolina Bees player.

The team is sponsored by Farm Bureau. If you are interested in signing up for a team or volunteering you can do so by heading to the Alternative Baseball Organization website.