The role of a Buddy during gameplay is to protect the Player and to assist in any way necessary. Below are some general guidelines for assisting players while playing in the field, while at bat, and while running the bases. These guidelines are intended to give general instruction on how to assist players but do not cover every situation. It is important to remember that each player will need a different level of assistance and may face unique challenges while participating.
Position & Readiness:
• Make sure fielders are a safe distance from the batter. No fielder should be located in front of the pitcher’s mound
• Avoid standing in the basepaths
• Stand near your player in a position that will allow you to protect him or her from a batted or thrown ball if necessary
• When your player is ready to throw a ball, be sure the receiver is ready to receive the throw

Hard Hit Ball
(Player with unlimited mobility)
• Allow the player to field the ball alone
• Direct the player with respect to where to throw the ball
• If the ball is heading to the outfield, let it go
• If the ball is in the infield, knock it down, if necessary, and then allow the player to field the ball

Softly Hit Ball
(Player with limited mobility; walker, wheelchair, etc.)
• Field the ball, or ask another player to field the ball and hand it to your player to allow them to throw it or hold it momentarily
• Assist the player in throwing the ball, if necessary
• When talking with a player using a wheelchair, always position yourself at their eye level and talk face-to-face

At the end of an inning, all players and buddies should remain on the field until the last base runner scores.