Kathy Kurz wanted her daughter, Delaney, who has special needs, to be more involved in the community, so she attempted to enroll the 10 year old in Baldwin Little League in 2019.
However, at the time, the league lacked a division for Delaney and other children ages 4 to 14.
Determined to create opportunities for them, Kurz helped launch the league’s Challenger Division that year, which started out with just five participants. Today, that number has grown to 15 children.
Kurz, a longtime Baldwin resident and former New York City elementary school teacher, was recently honored at a black-tie dinner for A Child Beyond for her dedication to children with special needs.
A Child Beyond is a nonprofit organization that creates a safe, inclusive environment for individuals with autism and their families. The group’s mission is to end the stigma surrounding autism and foster greater understanding and acceptance within communities.
When Kurz, who has always been passionate about working with children, searched for extracurricular activities for Delaney, she found the league only offered a program geared toward older participants.
“It was not fitting for her,” Kurz said. “At the time, she was 10 years old, and these children were 15 or older.”
Without any prior softball or baseball experience, Kurz accepted the challenge of learning the game to create an opportunity for Delaney and other children in her age group.
“I didn’t have any softball or baseball experience except, you know, knowing the game,” she said. “As long as I knew the basics, it was great.”
Kurz said she understands the concerns parents of special needs’ children face when they are introduced to a sport. In the initial years of promoting the league, she encouraged parents to attend games to see the program in action before making a decision.
“I was definitely nervous for my daughter when she was younger — running the bases, hitting the ball,” she said. “It’s not like that. I invite parents to check out a game, give them my number, and have a conversation with me beforehand to address their concerns.”
Getting her message across became easier after she was named president of the Baldwin Special Education Parent Teacher Association, or SEPTA, in 2023. The role allowed her to build connections within the school community and further promote the Little League program.
This season, the league has the highest number of participants to date.
Looking ahead, Kurz hopes to see the program grow into a more competitive environment, with nearby leagues competing against Baldwin. She recalled that in the program’s first year, Baldwin played against Long Beach’s Challenger team, which has since folded.
Still, her focus remains on her original purpose — providing a fun, inclusive experience for children with special needs.
“The main thing really is to have fun,” she said. “Everyone is different, and whatever level they’re at, we’ll meet them there.”
