CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- While baseball may seem like an easy sport to get into, 23-year-old Taylor Duncan will tell you otherwise.

“I was unfortunately basically cut from the team,” Duncan said. Taylor is autistic. When he tried to play ball as a kid and his coaches found out, he was often relegated to the bench.

“It was devastating,” Duncan said. “I hated that because I really wanted to continue playing.”

Rather than retire his glove the Duncan decided to create his own league. “It's certainly fun to power through those perceptions,” Duncan said.

Since starting Alternative Baseball in 2016 it's grown to 28 teams in 13 states. The league is for adults 15 and over with autism and other special needs. They play major league rules with a larger and softer ball.

Gastonia is the next market getting its own team. “Sports brings so many things to the plate, especially in autism because they're socially handicapped,” said Illumination Foundation of North Carolina CEO Kathy Moore.” It's not that they don't want to participate. It's that they don't know how.”

Moore helped bring the Carolina Fireflies to Gastonia. She said the impact on people with autism is easy to see. “Simple things like throwing a ball to us can make a huge difference in confidence and skill building,” Moore said.

In his first practice with the team, 19-year-old Skyler Stevens can't get enough. It's hard for him to choose his favorite position.

“Pitching, hitting, playing outfield and short stop,” Stevens said.

Duncan, who lives in Atlanta, proved his doubters wrong a long time ago. His impact today is in the people who just needed a chance to thrive.

“We want to be taught to the best we possibly can be. That's the whole goal. We want to be able to live out our dreams and we need the support to be able to do that,” Duncan said.

A chance more people may just get as Everyday Hero Taylor Duncan spreads his passion for baseball one hit at a time.

The Carolina Fireflies are looking for players and volunteer coaches. If you’re interested in learning more click here.

If you have an idea for our next Everyday Hero please email us at everydayheroes@charter.com.