Michigan State turned McLane Stadium at Jeff Ishbia Field into a day of baseball, softball and connection on Thursday, welcoming nearly 100 participants for the Beautiful Lives Project Field of Dreams event with co-founder Bryce Weiler.
It was the fourth time the Spartans have hosted the event overall and the annual return since 2022, though last year’s edition was wiped out by bad weather. This one brought together MSU’s baseball and softball teams with students for a series of on-field activities that ranged from playing catch and running the bases to fielding, pitching and hitting.
The Beautiful Lives Project gives people with disabilities a chance to take part in activities and events that might otherwise be out of reach because of physical or facility barriers. Weiler said Michigan State has remained especially meaningful to him because the Spartans were first in line when the project started working with college programs.
"I also think about Michigan State baseball and softball almost every day, if not every week," Weiler said. "Michigan State softball was the first college softball team to ever do this event with us, and Michigan State baseball was the first college baseball team to ever do this with us. Just to have Michigan State be the first college teams, and Coach (Jake) Boss and Coach Sho (Sharonda McDonald-Kelly) and the players and coaches continuing to do this every year, means so much to me."
Weiler, who is blind, is the co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project and its National Advocacy Officer. He also serves as the disability consultant for the Baltimore Orioles. The organization has grown well beyond its start with Michigan State and now works with college baseball, softball, basketball, football and volleyball teams across the country, along with minor league baseball teams, for about 40 events each year.
For Boss, the event is as much about the person behind it as the cause itself.
"I also think about Michigan State baseball and softball almost every day, if not every week," Weiler said. "Michigan State softball was the first college softball team to ever do this event with us, and Michigan State baseball was the first college baseball team to ever do this with us. Just to have Michigan State be the first college teams, and Coach (Jake) Boss and Coach Sho (Sharonda McDonald-Kelly) and the players and coaches continuing to do this every year, means so much to me."
That same spirit came through in the way the Spartans described the day. MSU softball coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley said the event fits the heart of what her program is supposed to do.
"It's so awesome. It's great to be able to serve our community and just be out here with these kids.
They are a lot of fun, and they just want to play ball," MSU softball head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley said. "It kind of gets to the heart of what we do.
Every day can sometimes feel like a job, but when you come out here with these kids, it's just a lot of fun just hanging out and having a good time."
After the drills and activities wrapped up, the group gathered for a photo, and the Spartan players stuck around for individual pictures and autographs before the participants headed out, with many leaving early to get back to school.
The message Weiler delivered afterward stayed with the student-athletes from both teams. Hannah Greer said it made an impression, especially with so much roster turnover coming for the softball team.
"Yeah, it's definitely going to impact us. We have more than half of our team is new (this upcoming season), so it's a great team-bonding activity to get us together and just think about the greater community around us," Greer said.
Greer also said the day left her grateful for the chance to spend time with the participants and see what they brought to the field.
"This is just an amazing event. It's an incredible opportunity for us to connect with our community and really just make an impact on these kids' lives.
It makes you feel grateful for our own health and just being able to see how smart, how creative they are. It's really incredible and impactful," MSU softball senior infielder Hannah Greer said.
"Seeing the smiles on their faces makes our whole week, our whole month. We get one day to come out here and spend time with them, and if they leave with a smile, then I do too."
Parker Picot echoed that sentiment from the baseball side, calling the day a reminder of how much the sport can bring people together.
"It's an amazing thing that they're able to come out here and that we're able to set up fun games for them and just be able to play baseball," Picot said. "It's a great way that the game of baseball unites so many people just from all different backgrounds.
It's really cool to be a part of that, and it makes you realize the impact that you have on our community, on a family, and everyone. So, it's very special."
Picot said the event also sharpened his appreciation for the game itself.
"It gives you a whole new appreciation of the sport," Picot said. "Being able to come out here every day is something that we don't take for granted, and just having these guys out here, just being able to do the little things, smile, have fun, don't worry about missing a ball, don't worry about anything.
It's why we play, and it keeps us going, because the season can get long. So, this keeps us going, for sure."
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