The Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A; Sally League) have announced that Cam’s Clubhouse, the first fully dedicated sensory friendly space in Minor League Baseball, has been selected as MiLBs’ April Promotion of the Month.
“It’s very humbling to receive this recognition and support from MiLB and it’s also very inspiring,” said Intimidators President/ GM Brian Radle. “Nearly every home game so far, we have encountered children and families already being positively impacted by Cam’s Clubhouse. The majority of the parents are telling us they have never been to a game before but came because of this space and are benefitting from it. Those encounters and this recognition not only validate what we are doing but fuel us to create more of a domino effect with this concept.” As MiLBs’ April Promotion of the Month, the Intimidators are now a finalist for a Golden Bobblehead at the 2018 Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar which recognizes the industry’s leaders in best practices. Director of Marketing and Community of Relations Blair Jewell says of the recognition, “When we started the development of this project in November I knew we were creating something special and I couldn’t be prouder of what our team has accomplished! The support we’ve received for this project is astounding. Receiving this is recognition is truly an honor!”
On April 2, 2018 this new and innovative area inside Intimidators Stadium was specifically designed to better accommodate and assist special needs children enjoy the ballpark experience was unveiled. In partnership with Atrium Health and the Autism Society of North Carolina the Kannapolis Intimidators designed the first area fully dedicated to being sensory friendly in Minor League Baseball. Formerly executive offices, the space overlooking right field is a calm area that is free from the crowds and the noise of Intimidators Stadium. The space holds a very special place in the hearts of the Intimidators front office. Radle says, “At an early age my son Cam was diagnosed with Autism. Being in a baseball family, he has been around ballparks since he was born. With his condition it hasn’t always been easy. However, when he would struggle, it has always been relatively easy for us to take him to a quiet area to settle down if he became overwhelmed, or inconsolable. And now, we’ve seen him not only become more comfortable around the people, sights, and sounds of the ballpark, but we also see him enjoying the many joys that other children experience at the ballpark! His development is the inspiration behind this and our desire is to knock down walls, open doors, and be able to provide a safe space at our ballpark for all families to go to if they need to…a calm place, a sensory friendly space, where all special needs children would be welcomed. Further, we want to have ALL children enjoy the wonderful game of baseball and help in any way we can with their development and increasing understanding about Autism and the spectrum and this is our first main commitment to that effort.”
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