GALVESTON– The Sand Crabs look to start their inaugural season in the Island City of Galveston, Texas. They are a wooden-bat collegiate summer baseball team competing in the Cowboy Collegiate League.

The Sand Crabs serve a special call to action outside of playing baseball, promoting autism awareness and serving as community ambassadors for the cause. Rick Bailey, the owner of the Sand Crabs, listed his main goals for the team: “Play baseball, honor Galveston’s history, and spread awareness, autism awareness.”

Rick’s son, Bryce, who is nonverbal, will be present in the dugout with the team, showcasing and promoting autism awareness by connecting autism with sports camaraderie and team bonding.

The staff of the Sand Crabs includes Rick Bailey, owner; Jerald Temple, general manager; Kyle Giusti, head coach; and Greg Swindell, pitching coach.

The Sand Crabs’ season stems from late May to mid-July, including 40 regular-season games, with 20 games at Roger “Bo” Quiroga Stadium, the place they will call home for their inaugural season and beyond.

The team colors are purple and black, and their jerseys include a City Connect jersey tribute to the 1934 Galveston Buccaneers, owned by Shern Moody, who were the champions of the Texas League pennant that year. UTMB, their anchor sponsor, embroiders their specialty autism jerseys, aside from their original home and away kits.

The Galveston Sand Crabs also have host families that house players on the roster. Applications to serve as a host family can be submitted through their official website.

Rick’s mission is simple: he wants the team to produce a style of competitive baseball that contributes to winning while promoting autism awareness through the help of their sponsors and the team itself.

To find more information, go to the Galveston Sand Crabs’ official website for schedule information, ticket information, and ways to get involved with the team.