HILLSDALE—Bottom of the first, sun on the grass, a kid digs in. Crack of the bat — a clean shot over the shortstop’s head. He’s hustling down the line, arms pumping, teammates on the bench hollering. That’s baseball. That’s joy. And if Ian Weinstein has his way, that feeling belongs to everybody.
Weinstein, 17, a Pascack Valley High School senior from Hillsdale, has founded Everyone Wins Baseball, a nonprofit that opens the game to special education students in the Pascack Valley and beyond.
The program makes its debut Saturday, Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m., at Corra Field, with a 90-minute pilot session. Volunteers will work alongside students, learning how best to adapt instruction, drills, and equipment. A three-week spring program will follow.
“There are lots of adaptive sports out there, but baseball isn’t always included because it’s so skill-heavy,” Weinstein said. “That’s exactly why I want to take on the challenge. I want kids who don’t usually get the chance to experience the teamwork, the fun, and the growth that baseball offers.”
Weinstein plays varsity outfield for Pascack Valley and is being recruited to play at the college level, with school visits on deck this fall.
Ian credits his dad, Jay, with teaching him the game from T-ball on up, and tells us he’s had terrific coaches every step of the way. He points to the Yankees’ stars Aaron Judge and Ben Rice as inspirations. Rice resonates as he plays both first base and catcher, is a clutch hitter, and is a young, high academic player from Dartmouth.
The project also reflects his family background: his father is a special education attorney, and Ian has volunteered as a Hebrew school teacher at Congregation B’nai Israel in Emerson.
But mostly, he says, it’s about leaving a mark with the sport he loves.
“I know how much baseball has given me,” he said. “This is a way to share it, to include people who don’t always get the chance. When we embrace and involve everyone in our community toward a common goal, sharing and celebrating our national pastime, then everyone wins.”
The program has already drawn support, including donations of new and used equipment, mentors eager to help, fields provided by the Hillsdale Recreation Commission, and backing from the Hillsdale Baseball and Softball Association.
Registration is available on Community Pass. For more information or to contribute, email jaydubbs15@proton.me.