WAC Cares exists to unite our community through the game of wiffle ball while making a lasting impact beyond the field. Our mission is to raise awareness and provide support for families and organizations across North Carolina through charitable tournaments, fundraising competitions, and partnerships with local businesses. We believe in the power of sport to bring people together, inspire generosity, and create opportunities for real change. Guided by our motto “Play It Forward,” we are committed to turning every swing, every pitch, and every game into a chance to give back.
WAC Cares was inspired by our son, Sawyer, and our family’s journey through the autism diagnosis process.
For months, we were told by multiple doctors that Sawyer was autistic. The problem was none of those doctors had the credentials to officially diagnose him. We waited nearly nine months to finally get an appointment with a specialist who could give us answers.
That appointment did not go the way we expected.
Instead of clarity, we left with more questions than answers and were essentially forced to start the process all over again. Because of some of the symptoms Sawyer was experiencing, our family doctor even feared it could be something far more serious. After receiving a negative autism diagnosis, we were told there was concern he could potentially have a brain tumor.
For four days, we waited for a stat MRI appointment to open up.
Those four days changed my life.
While we waited, I went into our backyard and started building what would eventually become our wiffle ball field. I cut down trees, cleared over a hundred limbs, cut baselines into the ground with a flathead shovel, and moved several tons of rock by hand to relocate an entire fire pit. What I was really building, though, was a safe place for our little boy during a season where we felt completely uncertain about what the future held.
Four days later, we Sawyer’s MRI was negative.
We were back on the path toward an autism diagnosis and ultimately getting him the therapies and support he needed.
Those days gave our family perspective that we will carry forever. So when people tell us they are sorry that Sawyer has autism, we always try to explain something important:
Please don’t be sorry.
Autism has been a blessing in our lives.
It has changed our perspective, strengthened our family, introduced us to incredible people, and ultimately inspired something much bigger than ourselves.
During that season of life, I was fortunate enough to meet people who encouraged me to start a wiffle ball league and eventually charity tournaments centered around community and giving back. That vision became the foundation for WAC Cares.
Today, WAC Cares exists to unite communities through wiffle ball while creating real impact for children and families across North Carolina. Every tournament, sponsorship, fundraiser, and partnership traces back to Sawyer’s story and the belief that even difficult seasons in life can become something meaningful.
PLAY IT FORWARD.
OUR STORY
2025 WACBALL Charity Tournament benefitting Autism Society Of North Carolina
OVER $5000 Raised BENEFITING THE
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