Since the Otterbots’ inception in January 2021, the organization has been dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive ballpark for every member of the community. Our new ballpark sensory room, presented by The Hughes Center, will provide opportunities for children with sensory sensitivities and their families to be able to enjoy Otterbots games and non-baseball ballpark events all year long.
While some fans look forward to the sights, sounds and smells of being at the ballpark, those who are averse to the traditional hustle and bustle of baseball games will now have the opportunity to cheer on the Otterbots all season long. Located on the concourse in the right field Kids Zone, the Otterbots’ ballpark sensory room is equipped with cuddle swings, fidget boards, soft LED lights, wall-to-wall padding, uniquely textured rugs, sound-deadening headphones, comfortable chairs, sensory-friendly fidget toys and a blackout curtain. The curtain can be opened to reveal a window overlooking the Kids Zone, so parents can maintain a view of non-sensory averse siblings or friends during their time in the sensory room.
The ballpark sensory room is presented by The Hughes Center, who partnered with the Otterbots to outfit the space with appropriate activities and infrastructure to accommodate all levels of need. Materials were provided in-part by Columbia Forest Products, and construction was completed by Otterbots spring ballpark operations intern, United States military veteran and civil engineer, Luca Cicilese. The Otterbots prioritize their community, and could not be more grateful to these community partners for their support in bringing the sensory room to life.
Danville’s American Legion Field is the first park in the Appalachian League to have a dedicated sensory-friendly room inside the gates, and one of few in non-MLB ballparks. The Otterbots join the Brooklyn Cyclones, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Rochester Red Wings as non-MLB ballparks to have a sensory room on-site.
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