Calhoun, Ga. -- Shaw Sports Turf announced its partnership with the Alternative Baseball Organization (ABO). The ABO was established by Taylor Duncan, a Dallas, Ga., native, who is the league’s commissioner and director. Duncan was diagnosed with Autism when he was four-years-old and struggled with the challenges of being on the spectrum. At an early age, he developed a love for baseball, but was often benched due his disability; coaches saw him as an injury risk. He did not let that stop his love for the game and continued to seek help developing his mechanics and skills over the years.

In 2013, Duncan began recruiting his own players and developed a team which he took to the championship game in the league’s playoffs. After working with the pro’s at spring training in Kissimmee, Fla. and receiving one-on-one training with baseball players in other locations, Duncan decided to establish his own league. He founded the Alternative Baseball Organization as a developmental baseball program for others on the spectrum and those with special needs.

“I started this organization to give others on the spectrum the opportunity to be accepted for who they are, and to be encouraged to be the best they can be,” said Duncan.

The ABO has since gained momentum and media attention throughout the state of Georgia. Taylor and the ABO were even recognized with a featured exhibit at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame last year. In 2017 the organization was granted non-profit status and continues to receive support and donations helping to expand their reach as they look to open new chapters of the league.

Shaw Sports Turf said it was excited to be involved with the ABO and support them as the organization continues to grow.

“We are honored to be part of an organization like this one, an organization whose purpose is to bring people together,” said Chuck McClurg, vice president of the Shaw Turf division, “That is the way we like to think about our fields. We like to think of them as more than fields, as centerpieces and rallying points for leagues and communities. Along those same lines, we like to think of our customers as partners, we want to be there for you throughout the life of your field and we will be.”

For more information, visit or www.shawsportsturf.com.