#BlindSportsDay

Danny Foppiano

Danny Foppiano of Greenwood, Indiana, is a multi-sport athlete and veteran of beep baseball and goalball. Having lost his eyesight at the age of eight, Foppiano began his athletic journey at 14 and has continued training at the highest levels.

A solid addition to eight beep baseball championship rosters, Foppiano believes, in order to be successful, one must become fully committed to training in their sport. Foppiano says, “If you come across a veteran of the sport, soak up all the knowledge you can gain so you can have all the tools to succeed.”

“Making up new training routines to achieve a goal is a joy of mine. It keeps the interest in the ultimate goal of being a champion.”

Foppiano says among his highest honors was to be selected to represent Team USA in the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, and again in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. Foppiano was one of three athletes to be featured in an ESPN 60 piece in 2011.

Joe Quintanilla

Joe Quintanilla has been a baseball fan for as long as he can remember. A long-time Jim Rice fan, Quintanilla proudly wears #14 on his jersey as he continues to be a figurehead for a strong Boston team that is now firmly entrenched in the top tier of competition in beep baseball. Quintanilla says he didn’t learn of beep baseball until his teenage years, but he loves the thrill of the game and the chance to run, hit and chase down the ball.

Quintanilla has the heart, and the wheels, to compete at the highest levels in the world. He recalls the pride he felt when entering the stadium in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1996 Paralympic Games as the National Anthem blared across the loudspeakers. In 1997, during a marathon in Chicago for the United States Nationals, Quintanilla ran a personal best, finishing in 3:11:34, after only finding his guide the night before because other guides had been unable to keep up with him.

Quintanilla stresses patience to new athletes and those just starting on their physical fitness journey. He says, “Don’t ever rule yourself out. If the task seems too difficult, it’s important to continue pushing forward. You can always improve, no matter how long you’ve been at it.”

Quintanilla has played 201 games with the Renegades, which is a record for games started with the team. He also holds records for most at bats (with 647 Abs) and most runs batted in (with 181 RBIs.)

Nick Silver

Nick Silver is no stranger to action or adventure. His combination of speed and power make him a respected asset to any roster on which he finds himself. Silver has spent time with several teams across the league, including the St. Louis Firing Squad, Indy X-Treme, Indy Edge and the Chicago Comets.

Silver is a multi-sport athlete, participating in activities like track and field, wrestling, judo, goalball, tandem cycling, power lifting and hockey. He says physical fitness is his therapy, and it helps him to stay strong, break barriers and be a Rockstar to his kids.

“My advice to someone: Don’t let anyone say you can’t, because I’m here to tell you that you can. There isn’t too much left in 2018, that they haven’t found a way to adapt. If you want to be a beep baseball player, you can. You want to run your heart out, you can. You want to swim, go right ahead – and be sure to do a few laps for me, too! ‘You can do it,’ are the four words anyone can live off of. Life is a grind, and sports is a great outlet!”

Lex Gillette

The word “elite” doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface when describing Lex Gillette’s athletic achievements and professional prowess. A four-time Paralympic medalist, a three-time long jump world champion and an 18-time national champion, Lex exudes skill, strength and savvy as he describes the resilience, persistence and diligence necessary to compete at the highest level in the world.

“There are going to be times where you’ll be down eight or nine runs and you have to tap into that strength and resilience,” Gillette says. “But leverage that opposition and use it to propel you toward your goals. The benefit is staying active, living healthier and developing those skills necessary to stay strong in everything you do.”

A key player for the West Coast Dogs, Gillette was introduced to beep baseball at the age of 15 while playing for the Raleigh Rockets in the Carolina League. Gillette logged seven years as a member of the Dogs, and now focuses exclusively on track and field – with the heart and hustle to bring home a gold medal in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Tanner Gers

I play beep baseball because the game moves me. moves me to be a better person, player, teammate and leader. It goes far beyond the wins, the losses and my deep love for the game. I play because life without beep baseball is one I cannot envision.”