The National Beep Baseball Association will host its 50th annual World Series from August 3‑8 in Aurora, Illinois, bringing together more than 600 visually impaired athletes from 21 teams across the United States.
Organizers have partnered with the DuPage Sports Commission, the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the City of Aurora to stage a week‑long competition at Aurora’s Stuart Sports Complex.
Historical Roots
Beep baseball was born in 1964 when engineer Charlie Fairbanks fitted a softball with an electronic beeping device, allowing blind children to experience the game. The National Beep Baseball Association itself was founded in 1976 in Chicago by advocates from Minnesota, Kansas, Texas and Arizona.
Since its inception, the association’s World Series has been held every year, moving among U.S. cities and even reaching Taipei, Taiwan, in 2000. Illinois has previously hosted the tournament in 1990 in Chicago and in 2002 in Glenview.
Chicago holds a unique place in the event’s history: it is the only city whose teams have appeared at every World Series since the tournament began. The city’s clubs — the Chicago Bluffs, Chicago Insight, Chicago Cobras and the 2003 champion Chicago Comets — exemplify the long‑standing tradition.
Beyond competition, the World Series serves as a celebration of community unity, showcasing how sport can bridge differences and foster inclusion for athletes with visual impairments.