Jim Eiland and Dream Bat

The BRCC Electronics Department was contacted by the Adaptive Physical Education Teacher for Rockingham County Schools, Todd Taylor. Mr. Taylor noted that the Bridgewater Challenger Baseball League for physically impaired children desired a batting device that would allow wheelchair bound children to have control of swinging a bat rather than have someone bat for them. The concept was discussed with the 2nd year Electronics Students, one of which already had a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and we accepted the challenge. In the Spring of 2001 the first proto-type was completed and utilized during the 2001 Challenger season. The joy brought to the children was tremendous.

The BRCC Electronics Department was contacted in the Spring of 2002 by Charles Downs, The Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for the City of Waynesboro. Mr. Downs noted that he was setting up a Challenger League for the City of Waynesboro and desired such a batting device and asked if BRCC could assist. Once again 2nd year electronics students assisted in evaluating the 1st prototype’s performance, employed a different set of strategies, and made significant improvements. The most profound was to utilize easily obtainable materials in the construction. Therefore all materials can be purchased from almost any home improvement store such as Lowes or the Farm Bureau. The mechanics were also improved to yield good force and self-damping after ball impact. The second prototype was delievered to the Waynesboro Challenger League in May 2002 and utilized all summer. In September 2002, the Waynesboro Challenger Teams were guests of President Bush and played at the White House.

R&D on the batting device now called the “DREAM BAT” continue and many more continue to be built and improved. The batting devices thus far have been donated to the various Challenger Leagues.