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Bradford baseball league drops ‘midget’ age category

“I’m over the moon happy and proud that they’re doing it,” says mom of seven year old with dwarfism who plays in the Bradford West Gwillimbury league

In support of a local family, the Bradford Minor Baseball Association will no longer use the word “midget” in division titles.

It is the latest sports organization to make or consider the change, which is being done in different sports across Canada.

“I’m over the moon happy and proud that they’re doing it. He’s part of the community, so it’s even more important for (them) to be the trailblazer for this,” said Sophia Tabone, whose seven year old son, Christian, was born with dwarfism and plays in the Bradford West Gwillimbury league.

“It shows him, too, that the community supports him.”

Instead of descriptions for age classifications, the baseball association will use a “U+Age system,” with the U meaning “under,” according to a press release from the organization.

Tabone said some people have called her “sensitive” or a “snowflake” for wanting to remove the term, but she argues the word is hurtful, so replacing it sets a better example for all kids.

“We’re not (being sensitive). The term was literally made to mock and ridicule little people. We’re talking about a person,” she said. “How can I tell a child this word is not acceptable, but in baseball in this division (it is)?”

As there are not many little people living in BWG, Tabone said many people in the community know Christian, who also competed in the World Dwarf Games in August 2017, where he won two gold medals — one in floor hockey, and one for being the youngest participant.

Tabone said she would eventually like to see the word “midget” removed from all sports.

With controversies surrounding whether the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians should change their names, Tabone said she is glad to see consideration across Canada grow to whether “midget” should also be excluded.

“These words really shouldn’t be used in our language. It’s not used generally in a loving and caring way,” she said. “I’m proud that Bradford is making (a change).”

In a press release, the Bradford Minor Baseball Association stated its decision to remove the term is “in line with what other organizations have done or will be doing, and it also makes a compassionate statement of support for a local player.

However, it noted the organization operates under a larger governing body that will not be changing the division title this season.

“Being a part of a small community, the BMBA strives to make all players feel comfortable, confident, and safe while playing baseball. Using a hurtful word, whether it’s meant to hurt or not, is simply not acceptable,” read the release.

The association’s decision is “huge,” said Mike Tabone, Christian’s dad. “We want the best we can for our kids. It’s a great start. Hopefully it’ll get the ball rolling.”

For Christian, “midget” is a foreign word. As a member of Bradford Storm and the South Simcoe Ball Hockey League, he said he makes friends easily and playing is “super fun.”

“People pitch to you and you hit, and it’s fun, and you get more energy,” he said.

Although he said he wants to “fix animals” as a veterinarian when he’s older, he said he loves playing sports and competing in the World Dwarf Games in Guelph, where he met Zach Roloff from the TV show Little People, Big World.

His parents’ goal is to fundraise to get him to the next games, which are in Germany, so he can continue competing against and meeting other people of his stature.

“It was amazing. I won gold,” Christian said, with a smile.

But next up for the family is taking their plea to the Ontario Baseball Association later this year to remove “midget” from division titles, and Sophia Tabone said she has been in touch with the Innisfil Minor Baseball Association about the same thing.

She said she also hopes to have local schools recognize World Dwarfism Awareness Day on Oct. 25. 

Tabone said she hopes, eventually, generations of kids will be unfamiliar with the word.

“It’s not needed, and it’s hurtful. The fact that it’ll be gone in our hometown is incredible,” she said. “In any way, shape or form I can lessen it from being out there, that’s my goal.”


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Jenni Dunning

About the Author: Jenni Dunning

Jenni Dunning is a community editor and reporter who covers news in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
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