The 25th Annual Love, Tito's Indy Thunder Beepball Bonanza is scheduled for the weekend of May 30-31st at North Central High School, located at 1801 East 86th Street. First pitches are scheduled at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday. Tito's Handmade Vodka (www.titosvodka.com) frequently partners with adaptive sports teams to host various events.

A related occasion, "Cheers for a Cause: Fundraiser at the Art Center," commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Indy Thunder Beep Baseball Team at the Indy Arts Center on Thursday May 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Located at 820 East 67th Street, this event is free of charge. More information is available at: www.eventbrite.com/e/cheers-for-a-cause-fundraiser-at-the-art-center-tickets-1988560993462.

Indy Thunder General manager Darnell Booker explained, "I first stepped up to the plate in Beep Baseball in 1985 as a senior in high school and have evolved ever since then 41 years later from layer to coach. I played competitively for 12 years from 1985 to 1997 and started the Indy Thunder in 2000. We joined the National Assignment 2001."

During Booker's tenure so far, the Indy Thunder has been a big hit, growing into a Beepball dynasty, both locally and nationally. They have won six of the last nine World Series titles, going undefeated in 25 games when they won their most recent championship in 2025.

Their website describes their mission: "The Indy Thunder Beep Baseball team is an organization for the blind and visually impaired community who wish to participate in an organized sport. Their desire is to enlighten and educate our community about the capacity and abilities of blind and visually impaired individuals. They host the annual Indy Thunder Beep Baseball Bonanza tournament, participate in exhibition games and do public speaking in our community. They actively seek the involvement of volunteers to work with the individuals improving their athletic skills and ability to play competitively together as a team and to organize fund raising events, so that funds are available to cover the cost of the World Series and regional tournaments. Their goal is that no individual person will be denied the opportunity to play this even if they are economically challenged."

He reflected on the rewarding aspects of his career as a coach and player. "One of the most rewarding things was being inducted he national Beepball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2024. During my career, I had been teaching and coaching players from age 15 to 60. In 2025, we were 26-0 and won six of the last nine World Series titles. I am overseeing the 50th World Series in Naperville/Aurora Illinois on August 2 to 8th later this summer. I am now an assistant coach and General Manager of the Indy Thunder. Last year, I was elected First Vice President and Tournament Director of the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA). I was also elected by the NBBA membership to oversee the next years' (51st) World Series in 2027 that will be held in Wichita, Kansas."

They are reaching out to the local community for the Beepball Bonanza. "Volunteers are needed from base monitors to field set up on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Central High School while Saturday and Sunday set up is from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. They would tear down the set up on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North central and unload the shed from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Opti park, which is located at 780 E. 66th Street. Those that wish to help can e-mail me at: bookerd_23@yahoo or call (317) 370-7231," he noted.

According to a Broad Ripple Village Association article posted on February 19, 2026:

You can catch the Indy Thunder at practice in Broad Ripple Park near the tennis courts and also on Sunday mornings at the 10th Street Sports Center (mainly known as Go West Sports at located 9225 West 10th St from 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon. You can read about the team at: www.facebook.com/indythunderbeepball/about/?_rdr.

A description of Beep baseball is a version of baseball/softball designed for athletes who are blind or visually impaired that is fast and competitive. Some fundamentals include:

• The ball beeps continuously so fielders can track it.
• There are two bases (first and third), and they buzz when activated. The runner doesn't know which base will turn on, so it becomes a race of sound, speed, and reaction.
• Players wear blindfolds to keep the playing field equal across different levels of vision.
• Sighted volunteers play key roles as pitcher, catcher, and spotters, supporting the action and making the game possible.

As baseball remains America's pastime, Darnell Booker has become an ambassador for the game and for anyone who desires to step up to the plate and join his team wherever they play.