As I noted in my first post announcing this event, the B-Mets set out to be what will become a long line of minor league organizations partnering with the Dave Clark Foundation in bringing two great worlds together, which are the D3 Baseball campers and the professional athletes on a field to share in common ground, and that is the love for the game of baseball. The event was held on Saturday, August 17^th at NYSEG Stadium and the buzz from the event was that it was a huge success. I wouldn’t think otherwise, but to be there and participate, it is a life changing experience.

I wish that I would have been able to make this trip to experience another one of the D3 camps. Sometimes I wish I can travel with the Dave Clark Foundation all around the country because the experience never gets old and to watch these kids interact with the players is truly amazing.

The Dave Clark Foundation has partnered with the minor league clubs to not only bring attention to the lives and the abilities of these campers, but to also give the professional athletes an opportunity to experience what many do not have a chance to see. When a player walks away from one of these events, he not only looks at life differently but he is able to appreciate all that it gives him.

I asked B-Mets 2B Daniel Muno and P Chasen Bradford via Twitter what their experience was like with the D3 Baseball Camp:

@DAConde24 it was an amazing life changing experience. I had a great time and will remember it the rest of my life

— Danny muno (@Munz16) August 18, 2013

Chasen Bradford @cbBaseball29 21 Aug – Via Twitter Direct Message

It was amazing. The spirit that every single one of the kids had was inspiring. No matter their illness they were pumped to be out there with us. Running around and just hanging out with us. I was blessed to have the opportunity. The baseball season is long but day’s like that one make it easy for us to realize how truly blessed and gifted we are. We think we inspire but the truth is they inspired us. Dave is a great guy and is giving such an awesome gift to these kids. Seeing them smile for two hours and having fun was the most rewarding part.

From the planning that goes on, to the actual day of the event, everything is done with the anticipation that the camp will change the lives of so many. There hasn’t been one camp where someone hadn’t walked away with a different perspective on life it self.

Baseball is a great sport with athletes that have amazing talents and are able to perform at such a high levels consistently. To be able to meet Dave Clark, a man that defied all odds and starred on the diamond, is an honor for so many. Then to have the campers, both young and old come to a professional baseball park and have the players take time from their preparation for the game to spend quality time with the participants is truly priceless.

MMN’s own John Bernhardt was on hand to witness the event and he was just as moved as everyone involved. John wrote a post about the event which you can click here to read. I also asked him what was his take on the camp:

Those on a baseball diamond speak a universal language. Size, shape, sex, color, appearance or physical limitations give way to the joy of playing this great game.

I also reached out to my friend Dave Clark and asked him what he felt about the opportunity to work with the B-Mets with this camp:

Disability Dream & Do (D3) Baseball Camp with Binghamton Mets was absolutely fantastic. General Manager Jim Weed, Community Relations Director Connor Gates, Field Manager Pedro Lopez, and all the B-Mets players went above and beyond in making this camp a great success. Hoping to make this an annual tradition in Binghamton.

Doug Cornfield, who is the Manager of the Dave Clark Foundation and right hand man for Dave shared with me what these camps are all about:

Disability Dream & Do (D3) Baseball with the B Mets hit new heights. These events have a multidimensional impact. D3 participants, family members, caregivers, young pro players, staff, sponsors, Dave Clark and his Foundation all have an experience that will not be forgotten. One of my great memories is actually watching the response from the young pro players as they listened intently to Dave share his unique pro baseball career in the locker room prior to D3 events. Dave has a way that gains total attention and respect from these young players. In return these young men give their full energies in making this a special day for the D3 participants.

There is no bigger joy then to see a smile on the face of a child, but at these events, not only are the kids smiling but so are the adults that are involved. As Doug stated, everyone is impacted during a D3 baseball Camp, which is something worth witnessing.

Not only is the event about the kids and the athletes, but also about the Pulling Each Other Along award handed out to the most deserving person(s) within the community that are doing their part to help others in need. The winners of the award were Mark and Lori Peterson. Here is the Official Statement from the Dave Clark Foundation for the Winners of the Pulling Each Other Along Award:

This dedicated couple has lived their lives with out-stretched hands ready to help others whenever a need arises. That in itself is honorable, but their story is also one of seeking to serve in consistent ways. They have raised 8 seeing-eye dogs and have also worked with training dogs for the diabetes community. Their mindset is a beautiful picture of pulling each other along. Please join The Dave Clark Foundation in honoring Mark and Lori Peterson.

There are so many people that are impacted by the D3 Baseball Camps. These are promotional events that each organization can put on that should in my mind take off and be adopted by clubs all over the Minor League system, because the experience alone is a huge success.

If you own a business or would like to partner with the Dave Clark Foundation, anything that you can do will go a long way to assist them in continuing to put on these wonderful life changing events.

Learn more about becoming a D3 Partner! You can send an email to D3@daveclarkfoundation.org