PHOTO BY TRACI HENRY

On a day in which tears flowed and laughter filled the air, children and adults with disabilities stepped up to the plate and played Buddy Ball at Paul Eames Sports Complex. The May 7 event for special needs children was co-sponsored by the Albany Recreation and Parks Department, Butterfly Kisses Play Park, the Albany Police Department, and Parent to Parent. The participants ran and wheeled around the base paths and hit the ball — many for the first time.