Cheers, hugs, and high-fives dominated the softball diamond at Doyle Field as the Roanoke Valley Adaptive Sports League held opening day Saturday.

The league was born out of a need for inclusion, said Paige Miles, who along with Brittanie Jones first began a social media push to gauge interest.

Brittanie's son Eli has cerebral palsy. He also has autism and severe hearing loss. “We just noticed that there was a need in the area for an adaptive league and we noticed that he really wanted to play,” Miles said.

“Eli was watching his brothers play and he was unable to because it wasn’t safe,” Jones said. “That’s when we decided to start the league.”

Miles said there is a need for the league in the area. “We had a lot of interest. We’re excited to get it started.”

Saturday’s opening day brought 10 kids to the field, and Miles said organizers are hoping to get more. “We’re going to try to do basketball in the winter and soccer in the spring.”

The league used a tee-ball format with soft bats and balls. Volunteers helped guide the players to the bases.

Miles said she was pleased with the start. “I feel like 10 kids is a good start.”

It took a few months of planning to get the league started, growing the idea on social media, she said. “We got a lot of interest and a lot of people who wanted to help and sponsor. I’m very thankful for that.”

For the athletes, Miles said, “I think it means a lot to the kids to be able to be included in a safe environment.”

Some of the players have sensory issues, some can’t run as fast as others, and one boy has to use a wheelchair. “Some of them don’t like a lot of yelling or clapping. They just want to be in an environment that is more inclusive for them.”

Miles’ son Dawson, who is 6, served as a volunteer, helping guide the athletes to the bases and giving them encouragement. “I just feel like it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Daughtry said, “I think it is just really great for the community. You have so many people out here today — not just the kids that are participating, but a lot of support from the community, the families, the volunteers. I think that it’s an opportunity for everybody to kind of come together and do something really positive in the community.”

The city already has adult day care groups using T.J. Davis, she said. “I try to work with them as far as allowing their participants to come out during specific times during the week so that they can have some recreational opportunities.”

Each year the adult day care group holds a basketball game that allows those not able to participate in the game to be cheerleaders and wave pom-pons. The game pits the adult day care players against the recreation staff. “We try to make it an opportunity for them to work together as a team — something they may not have been able to do before.”

It ended up being a good experience when the city was approached by Jones and Miles, Daughtry said. “This gives them an opportunity to socialize with others and interact with other people they might not see on a regular basis. It also gives them an opportunity to be on a team.”

The city is working with the Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Alliance, a nonprofit group that is helping this league and a new girls' volleyball league get on their feet, she said.

Dawn Seuis helped guide her son Ethan, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to first base in his motorized wheelchair. “This is beautiful,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to put him in sports, but Roanoke Rapids didn’t have anything.”

Gerika Powell watched as her daughter Amelia participated in the game. “She’s having a great time. She had been talking about this all week.”

Powell is excited about the league. “I’m very happy she is here. She gets to meet other children in the community like her. We’re all thankful for the league.”

Powell said she is looking forward to other sports as well. “I’m so proud of her. I’m really proud of all the team members. I’m really proud of all the kids. They really played their hearts out.”