The hazy blue morning sky heralds a July day that is not yet hot, but will become so. Families and friends of the team players gather at the Westmore Elementary ball field, carrying "survival" equipment of coolers, blankets, and chairs, and staking out spots in the already-welcome shade of a large tree.

"Kids" of all ages, with varying handicaps, participate in the program, sponsored by the Orem Recreation Center. The players are from cities around Utah Valley.

Peggy Cloward, a job coach for Alpine Transition Education Center (ATEC), who also works with the recreation center, said she got her kids into the program "because it's so much fun."

"You know, [the kids] look forward to it," Cloward said. "It builds their association with each other, and increases their self-confidence... Neighbors and the whole family come to watch. It's just fun."

In this world of adapted T-ball, kindness, encouragement, enthusiastic shouts of support from spectators, opportunity, friendship, and fun are foremost. Much less important are adherence to traditional rules and experiencing the rigors of intense competition.

There are basically two rules in the game: make sure everybody bats, and make sure everybody plays in the outfield, Cloward said.

The two teams alternate batting through the line-up and playing in the infield and outfield, exchanging places when each member of one team has had their turn at bat. Some of the kids hit the ball off the tee, some take coach pitches. If anyone needs help hitting, throwing, or running the bases, they get it. A score is not kept, and when an hour has passed, the game is over.

"Homerun Mont," a crowd favorite, hit the ball at Saturday's game, rounded first base, and went on to second. The ball "caught up" to him at third base, but he ran on in to home for one of his signature homeruns, greeted by enthusiastic applause from spectators.

One young man in a wheelchair was pushed by his father to home plate, where dad helped him bat, then steadfastly pushed his son around the bases.

Roberta Stephenson of American Fork said her son, Robert, 16, has participated in the adapted T-ball program since he was 8 years old, and has gained confidence from the experience.

"Of course, there are also the physical aspects -- gaining strength and learning the basic skills of the game," she said.

Robert has gone from hitting the ball off the tee, to taking coach pitches, Stephenson said.

"My husband and I are here, and anyone else who can come... Orem has been consistent and very, very organized in the [sponsorship] process. It's been really good to know we could count on the program every year," she said.

Clifton Pyne said his daughter, Cindy, 50, has benefitted from the adapted T-ball program, and other programs. "Everything that is done for these young people is a blessing," he said. "These programs are very important."

Coaches for the teams this year were Stephanie Adkins of Orem, and Roger and Tricia Alworth of Highland.

Joel Bennett was on hand Saturday to assist his wife, Emily, an Orem employee, in managing the equipment. He said he grew up helping his sister with Down syndrome to play sports.

"I think it's awesome," Bennett said of the T-ball program. "It gives the kids an opportunity to come and play. It's not overly competitive, and the families are very supportive."

At the end of the game, players received Olympics-style ribboned medals to celebrate the successes of the season.