The 2014 Rookie Class brings us people from four different continents to add to our diverse group. We signed five new players and three new volunteers (so far). We are always looking for new people. We have an immediate need for new coaches to help us teach all of these new players. If you know of anyone, please contact us at bostonrenegades@gmail.com. You may be shocked to find that we signed another person named “Joe”. We are very excited to add all of these people to the Renegade family and we look forward to a long term relationship with all of them. We asked them all a few questions so you could get to know them
| Chuba Arah
Where were you Born? Lagos, Nigeria Where do you live now? Randolph, MA What is your current occupation? Software Engineer How did you hear about the Renegades? Coach Rob What are you most looking forward to? Checking out a live game What experience do you have playing sports? Only played soccer and basketball leisurely. I was an assistant coach for my high school soccer team when we won the 1st soccer state championship in school history What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? It represents special individuals who overcome a challenge that would sideline the vast majority of people. It proves the sheer force of will evident in our players to beyond what anyone would expect and it is admirable and inspiring! |
 |
|
Rob Dias Where were you born? I was born in Fall River, MA, but I grew up in the neighboring town of somerset Where do you live now? For the past year and a half I have been living in Somerville. Priot to that for six months I lived in Cambridge What is your current occupation? I’m a disability rights advocate for a state agency. The Massachusetts office on disability How did you hear about the Renegades? I heard about the Renegades in 2007 while I was attending the independent living program at the Carroll Center for the Blind What are you most looking forward to? I’m looking forward to hopefully improving week to week, getting to know my teammates a little bit better, and contributing when and where I can. What has been your favorite part of the team or sport so far? Actually my favorite part so far has been playing defense. I really enjoy getting the opportunity to run and dive etc. It is challenging. That’s what I like about it. How did you lose your sight? I have been legally blind my whole life due to a condition called retinitis pigmentosa. Unlike most folks with retinitis pigmentosa I am losing my central vision. It is a progressive disease and it is only been over the past seven years that I have been using a cane and doing most tasks non-visually. What experience do you have playing sports? I was a member of the Somerset high school wrestling team for my last three years there, obviously starting as a sophomore. Post high school I did judo on and off, and I dabbled a little bit in kickboxing (although not much). What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? It gives me the opportunity to try something exciting and new and having fun while doing it. I’m not sure how many more miles my body has, so it’s nice to get the opportunity to do something athletic while I still can. I also surprisingly and enjoying the accountability that comes with being a part of the team. It’s been a while for me, and it is quite the motivating factor.
|
 |
|
Jamie Dickerson Where were you born? Born and raised in Melrose, MA Where do you live now? Currently split time between Cambridge and Melrose. What is your current occupation? Student How did you hear about the Renegades? Joe Mac! What has been your favorite part of the team or sport so far? Tackling the art of pitching What are you most looking forward to? Getting better What experience do you have playing sports? All types of sports: basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, football, hockey, ultimate frisbee. What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? Beep-ball, to me, is a new, exciting twist on a classic game….a new challenge for my competitive spirit to tackle, and a beautiful way to allow visually impaired folks to come into their own on the diamond. |
 |
|
Scott Hartmann Where were you Born? Attleboro, MA Where do you live now? Boston, MA What is your current occupation? Accounting/Graduate Student How did you hear about the Renegades? Evan Silver What has been your favorite part of the team or sport so far? Common understanding, can relate to each other How did you lose your sight? Retinitis Pigmentosa What are you most looking forward toward? The World Series What experience do you have playing sports? Hockey, baseball, football, golf What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? Team friendship, challenge and competition |
 |
|
Thanh Hunyh Where were you born? Vietnam Where do you live now? Worcester, MA What is your current occupation? Between Jobs but in the fall will be attending WPI to get a Masters degree How did you hear about the Renegades? I was with the team in 2004 How did you lose your sight? When iI was three years old they put the wrong eye drops in my eyes to try and get rid of Pink Eye What experience do you have playing sports? I was a professional blind soccer player in Vietnam. I played for the National team What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? It helps me keep my competitive juices flowing
|
 |
|
Sudheer Poluru Where were you Born? Chicago, IL Where do you live now? Cambridge, MA What is your current occupation? College student Full-time How did you hear about the Renegades? Joe Mac and I go to school together What has been your favorite part of the team or sport so far? Fielding and getting into the superman position. One of my favorite quotes is “defense wins championships” and I love seeing the guys hustle and dive to the ball. What are you most looking forward toward? Seeing a game and see everything we have been practicing pay off in a game What experience do you have playing sports? Played baseball since 4th grade. Play on the club baseball team at Harvard occasionally What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? It gives visually impaired individuals an opportunity to play the sporty that I love and to be competitive athletes |
 |
| Luis Soto
Where were you born? Caracas, Venezuela Where do you live now? Roxbury, Ma What is your current occupation? Student How did you hear about the Renegades? Through my friend and current player, Damon Graff How did you lose your sight? I had brain surgery What experience do you have playing sports? When I was sighted I played a little bit of softball, baseball, Soccer and track What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? It means I’m capable of doing things I never thought I’d be able to do |
 |
|
Joe Yee Where were you Born? I was born in Boston Where do you live now? I currently live in Medford What is your current occupation? Information Technology How did you hear about the Renegades? I heard about the Renegades from other team members that encouraged me to get involved in Beep Ball What has been your favorite part of the team or sport so far? My favorite part of the team so far has been learning to work together, as a team, in a sport that involves honing your senses and making quick actions in game play How did you lose your sight? I am losing my sight to a degenerative eye disease, which a cure has not yet been found What are you most looking forward toward? I am looking forward in improving my skills, and making contributions to the team What experience do you have playing sports? I having been cross country skiing for the last six years What does beep baseball mean to you (so far)? Beep baseball means challenging myself to improve my physical fitness, and participate as a team player |
 |