ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – What started as a simple idea between the Altamonte Springs Chamber of Commerce and WKMG’s sales team has grown into a 45-year tradition centered on inclusion, community support and a little friendly competition.
Each May, WKMG News 6 anchors and reporters join the City of Altamonte Springs for a special softball game benefiting the city’s special needs program. Organizers say the game has become one of the most widely attended special needs events the city hosts each year, drawing families and supporters out to celebrate athletes and their accomplishments.
The event also reflects how the community has worked to make the game more accessible over time. In the early years, there were no fields designed for athletes with special needs, requiring players to compete on regulation fields — a challenge for many participants. The city later recognized the need for a dedicated space, and with donations from the community, a special field was built to better serve athletes and make the game more inclusive.
While the tradition is rooted in purpose, it also comes with bragging rights — and this year, the Altamonte All Stars once again came out on top. The final score was 48-0, extending a streak that has become part of the game’s lore: WKMG remains winless in the series after 45 years.
For participants and spectators, though, the biggest win isn’t measured on the scoreboard. It’s the turnout, the support and the sense of belonging the game creates — year after year — for athletes and families across Altamonte Springs.