We Are Without Limits

Without limits baseball team was started by the local community in Monroe County, back n 2019. An opportunity for those with exceptionalities to come together and enjoy playing sports, and I learned of them last year when I moved to the Tellico area to become a special needs teacher. Last year I was extremely excited to go and see the teams play- but the pandemic hit and the season was canceled. Now we have come back together and have had the wonderful opportunity to come and enjoy the season and to cheer on my students and the others on their team. Knowing my own personalty and how my courage and confidence is higher with a camera in my hands (shout out to all my introvert photographer friends who feel the same), I contacted Sonya to find out if the families would be okay if I took pictures while I was at the game. She encouraged me to bring my camera and even brought me to be out in the field while the games were going on.

For the first game I was too timid to go onto the field, and it brought me so much joy to see the players go full out, playing the game and having some laughs. The dance breaks, the singing, the utter joy on that field brought tears to my eyes. I would catch myself cheering and laughing, enjoying the game more than looking through my camera lens. In the next game and the games thereafter, I found myself walking onto the field and interacting with the players before the game. Giggling and laughing with the kids and adults. Wheezer would start throwing balls to me, saying if I was on the field that meant I was a player. Sonya and Kristin would laugh with me as I flew the drone in circles around the field at community night. I'd walk out into a field filled with joy and excitement, getting hugs and treated like a best friend. I found myself screaming myself horse each game as I yelled and cheered for players. I found myself clutching my stomach as I would laugh so hard I cried, and shedding tears of joy as I observed and captured the wonder and beauty of what was going on in front of me. This team, this event, is truly filled with a sense of joy and community, with the reality that we truly are without limits. No matter what the world says about you, you can truly live without limits. These kids love without limits, they are filled with joy without limits, and they have no limits on what they can do with life. It just takes a little imagination and desire to make it a reality.

So please, take a look at this album to commemorate a wonderful season of the Tellico Plains Without Limits Baseball Team. But also take a moment to think about your life, your community, and where we can work together to make a world without limits. Because what a wonderful world that would be.

Until next time- Stay safe, Much love

Laura Mantooth