Wisdom Wednesday: Bears Make a Difference – Baseball, Community, and Changing Lives

Wisdom Wednesday

Jayden Mount
September 13, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET

In 2018, on a small corner of a football field in Gwinnett, Georgia, a dream was born. What started with just 12 athletes and a vision to create opportunities for children with disabilities has now grown into one of the area’s most inspiring community programs. For Wisdom Wednesday, Bears Make a Difference (BMAD), led by Director Brad Gamel, has transformed from humble beginnings into a thriving league with 73 athletes, seven teams, and a brand-new turf field that will officially open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 15, 2025. 

The name Bears Make a Difference is rooted in the program’s home community—the Mountain View Bears—and reflects the mission: to truly make a difference in the lives of children and families who often have limited access to inclusive sports programs. For Brad, this is personal. His son, Jack, is autistic and shares his dad’s love and passion for baseball. That bond became the foundation for BMAD’s mission: to give school-aged children with mental, physical, or multiple disabilities a chance to develop self-confidence, create friendships, and have fun playing America’s pastime.

From the very first day, BMAD has never been just about baseball. It’s about connection. Volunteers known as “Buddies” join each athlete on the field to guide, encourage, and cheer. These buddies can be students, teammates, coaches, or anyone in the community who wants to give their time.

As Brad puts it, “This program brings our community together, breaks down barriers, and creates lifelong support and friendships that go into the schools and allows everyone to remember we all want the same things—we are just special and different in different ways.” 

That spirit of connection extends into the wider softball and baseball community. Coach Floyd Patterson, leader of Mojo 2028 Patterson, has been instrumental in connecting Extra Inning Softball (EIS) with BMAD. His team volunteers every year, and his players walk away changed. “My team volunteers every year, and every year our girls and team get more than we give by being involved,” Patterson shares. Their energy, support, and commitment show just how powerful youth sports can be when used to lift others. 

BMAD also understands the little details that make baseball magical. Every athlete gets to pick their own walk-up song, adding personality and fun to their at-bats. One longtime player, Henry, who has been with the program since the very beginning, chose the anthem “All I Do is Win, Win, Win”—a perfect snapshot of the spirit BMAD fosters. 

The program continues to grow, but it still relies heavily on community support. Registration is just $80, covering uniforms and any equipment a child might need. That’s where the challenge from EIS comes in: we’re asking everyone in our community to donate funds or send extra baseball/softball equipment you have sitting around. Those bats, gloves, and balls can find a new life helping an athlete experience the joy of this game. 

In 2025, BMAD serves 73 athletes across seven teams—up from six—after creating a drill-based “Cubs” division for 5- and 6-year-olds. While the program and board were established in 2018, the inaugural season launched in spring 2019. Please note: the county has rescheduled the ribbon cutting for the new turf field to Sept. 15, 2025.

As BMAD celebrates the opening of its new turf field this fall, one thing is clear: this program is about much more than baseball. It’s about hope, joy, and the power of community to make a lasting impact. 

Want to get involved? 

Website: www.bmadbears.com | Facebook: @BearsMakeADifference | Instagram: @BearsMakeADifference 

Bears Make a Difference has already changed lives—and with your help, it can keep growing, giving every child the chance to step up to the plate and shine. 

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