LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood BlueClaws will host the third annual Autism Awareness Night at FirstEnergy Park on May 30 at 6:35 p.m. Pre-game activities will begin at 6 p.m. Autistic children will sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and "America the Beautiful" as part of the on-field ceremonies.
The BlueClaws hosted professional baseball’s first Autism Awareness Day in 2002 and received recognition from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and were also featured in a cover story in Autism Digest, the nation’s largest autism magazine, according to a press release.
U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), other civil leaders and leading autism organizations have attended the event since its inception.
"We’re excited to once again be hosting the event," said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. "Autism Awareness Night has very quickly become an annual tradition at the Jersey Shore and allows families of autistic children to share in the community fun of kicking off the summer season with baseball on Memorial Day weekend."
Larry and Joni Jones of Toms River, parents of an autistic child, are the coordinators for the event and see it as a tool to "promote community awareness of autism through baseball, focusing on the importance of early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention."
"This is an event where autistic kids can be with typical kids in the community and just have fun, especially in the Six Flags Pinchy’s Playground at FirstEnergy Park, which children seem to love," said Joni Jones. "People at the ballpark on May 30 can see for themselves that autistic children can be loving and make positive contributions to society as well."
As part of the annual event, the BlueClaws are making discounted tickets available to families of autistic individuals, as well as schools and service providers for autistic children and young adults. A $9 reserved seat ticket is available for $6 when purchased in advance through Baseball for Autism Awareness. Autistic children will have the opportunity to participate in the pre-game on-field parade with a parent or caretaker. Details and tickets: (732) 818-1145.