For Coach Hill Thomas, Richmond Hill’s Adaptive Baseball Camp is more than a day of baseball. It’s the beginning of a much bigger dream.

When Richmond Hill High School baseball coach Hill Thomas looked at the turnout for the program’s summer camps, he noticed who was missing. Children with disabilities weren’t participating. He began to wonder what would happen if the team created a camp specifically for them.

The idea was part of a much bigger dream Thomas and his wife had shared since arriving in Richmond Hill in 2022. They wanted to create more opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to participate in sports. Their ultimate hope was to bring a Miracle League to the community, but getting one off the ground proved more difficult than anticipated. Thomas kept looking for a place to begin.

Last year, he found it when Richmond Hill hosted its first Adaptive Baseball Camp. Each participant was paired with a buddy, and activities were designed around what each player could do. With help from volunteers and adaptive equipment, campers threw, hit and caught, enjoying a day of baseball built around their abilities. The experience was such a success that Thomas and the booster club decided to make it an annual event.

“Our goal was simple: build the camp around each participant’s abilities, regardless of what those abilities may be, and make sports fun,” Thomas said.

That same approach will guide this November’s camp. Campers can bring their own gloves or use equipment provided at the park. Participants who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices can join in at the accessible facility. And every camper will have one or more buddies beside them throughout the session to guide, encourage and celebrate each step.

For families like Amanda Galbreath’s, the opportunity meant far more than just a day on the baseball field.

“The RHHS Adaptive Baseball Camp was such a huge blessing for our son, SJ! Seeing all of those kids have so much fun in an inclusive and adaptive environment was truly so special. The coaches, players and volunteers made it such a wonderful experience with their patience, genuine enthusiasm and kindness. Sports programs for children with special needs are very difficult to find, so having that opportunity was very momentous for our family and many others!” Galbreath said.

But the campers and their families aren’t the only ones who benefit. The buddies gain something, too. Last year’s volunteers included school system employees experienced in supporting people with disabilities, along with high school students. For those young volunteers, Thomas believes the lessons learned on the field will stay with them long after the camp ends.

“One day they will understand that this camp teaches them just as much, if not more, than it teaches the campers,” Thomas said. “The lessons in empathy, patience, service, and relationships are invaluable.”

While Thomas plans to continue hosting the camp each year, he hopes its impact will eventually extend far beyond a single day of baseball. His dream of bringing a Miracle League to Richmond Hill hasn’t faded. Such a program could provide year-round opportunities for athletes beginning at age three, with no upper age limit. In other communities, those opportunities have expanded beyond baseball to include sports such as soccer and basketball.

For Thomas, the reason to keep pushing is simple. Think of the friendships, confidence and life lessons so many people have gained through sports. Those experiences should be available to everyone, regardless of ability. The Adaptive Baseball Camp may be a small first step toward his larger vision, but it is already showing what is possible when a community makes room for every athlete.

“I will continue to advocate for those who cannot always advocate for themselves,” he said, “because sports have the power to impact lives in ways we often don’t realize.”

For now, that bigger dream is taking shape at Wildcat Park—with a ball, a buddy and a place for every player.

Camp Details: The free Richmond Hill Adaptive Baseball Camp will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Wildcat Park, 500 Wildcat Blvd. The session for ages 13–25 runs from 9–10:30 a.m., with check-in at 8:30 a.m. The session for ages 5–12 runs from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., with check-in at 11 a.m. Parents are welcome to stay and assist, and equipment will be provided for anyone who needs it. The event is sponsored by Galbreath Heating & Air. Registration is available through the QR code on the camp graphic, or sign up online here.