Special Olympians from Airdrie, Olds and the Foothills region had a ball recently.  Literally.

Airdrie Special Olympics hosted their first annual Softball Tournament and invited teams from Olds and Foothills to join in on the fun.  Charlie Parker is one of the coaches for Airdrie and he said he estimates there are 80 athletes taking part in Special Olympics in Airdrie.

"The age ranges go from eight to able," he says. "We have all ranges.  We have athletes playing today who are in their 60's."

Parker believes that both the athletes and he and the other coaches get so much from the program. 

"I think the athletes get a sense of competitiveness, the sense of achievement and accomplishment, self-goals, all those things.  It gives them something to look forward to every Wednesday night when we go to practice.  The coaches, you just get the warmth and the love of the athletes.  Seeing them achieve, seeing them improve every year, it makes it worthwhile."

Last year, at the Summer Games held in Medicine Hat, Parker said he really saw the confidence of his athletes grow when they won a gold medal in softball.      

"It was just amazing. The confidence, the smiles. They couldn't stop talking about it on the bus ride home. They couldn't stop telling their families. It stays with them for a long time. They cherish those medals and ribbons very much."

14-year-old Emmi was one of the athletes taking part in the tourney.  But baseball isn't her only sport, as she explained.  "I do ringette, dance, lots of sports, floor hockey, golf, and baseball."

Emmi said ringette is her favourite because it involves lots of teamwork.  She said Special Olympics has allowed her to meet lots of new people, even though she's naturally shy.

"I'm shy but I talk to my friends but not new people. I'm shy to meet other people. (Special Olympians) are really good, really kind," she said.

And what has made Emmi such a good baseball player?  As usual, the old adage of 'practice makes perfect' applies in her case as well. 

"Sometimes I practice with my dad," she said. "Once a week we hit or catch." 

Here are some pictures from the tourney.