BasebALZ opens at Sun City Texas

January 8th was Opening Day for the BasebALZ program at Sun City Texas.  Thirty participants, caregivers, and volunteers kicked off the Sun City “season” at the Wesleyan at Estrella in Georgetown, Texas.

This new program at Sun City continues the  partnership between SABR and Alzheimer’s Texas to provide baseball reminiscence programs in Central Texas.  BasebALZ project leader Jim Kenton worked closely with volunteers in Sun City, led by fellow SABR member Bob Wakefield, to get the program started there.  Alzheimer’s Texas coordinated the facility, paid for lunch, and handled publicity and registration.

Here’s a quote from one of the caregivers who attended with her husband: “I just wanted to tell you that this program is excellent, fun, and my husband, who has been very depressed and lonely, enjoyed the session greatly.  It was the first time, in a long time, that he was engaged, laughed some, and interacted so well with the volunteers, the other participants, and the presentations.  He especially liked the fact that you provided the Allman Brothers connection.  I also met another caregiver, who is experiencing similar issues as I am, and we have already exchanged phone numbers.”  

Some of the baseball experiences shared by those in attendance:

One went to three of the four games of the 1946 World Series with his Dad at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis.  He is a big Stan Musial fan.

Another played ball as a youngster with Jimmy Piersall, in Waterbury, CT.

Still another is a big Rocky Colavito fan.

The local newspaper, the Williamson County Sun, covered the program in a front page article here: The Sun BasebALZ

2020 is off to a great start!  Sun City will continue on a bi-weekly basis.  The monthly program at the Kerrville V.A. held its first monthly session on January 10.  Season 2 of the San Antonio program kicks off on January 23rd.  And our original program in Austin begins Season 14 (its fifth year) on January 27th.