Tarik El-Abour, first professional baseball player with Autism, officially signed by Royals

You may have read on our website recently that the Kansas City Royals became the first team to sign a player that has been diagnosed with autism. Well, that signing is officially official, and Tarik El-Abour is officially a Kansas City Royal.

We have signed outfielder Tarik El-Abour to a minor league contract. El-Abour has handled the challenges presented by autism now earning the opportunity to become a professional baseball player. His signing announcement coincides with tonight's Autism Awareness Night. pic.twitter.com/qzb7ACmXqm

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 13, 2018

Tarik’s signing coordinates perfectly as the Royals host their annual Autism Awareness Night at The K.

I asked a student of mine, who has also been diagnosed with autism, what this signing means to him. For his privacy, he will remain nameless.

Student: “It makes me feel good and very happy that the Royals signed a player like me.”

Me: “You play sports too, right?”

Student: “Yes, I do the long jump!”

Me: “That’s awesome! Do you watch many Royals games?”

Student: “Yes, quite a few!”

That’s all I was able to get out of him between classes, but the smile on his face was contagious when he heard the news. This signing means a lot, to a lot of people, and you can be sure that I will be rooting hard for Tarik to succeed. I have tickets to tonight’s game, and I haven’t been this excited to get out to The K since Opening Night in 2016.