TEXAS — Take a game that's easy to play and add a kid who was tired of being left out and you get Kaleb Batson.
"We were just watching college football and everybody was playing. I was never good enough to play with them," Batson said. "When they would go inside to watch, I would just be off practicing by myself.”
Batson is now twirling and tossing bags in the American Cornhole League. The league is made up of 14 regions across the country with different events and categories based on skill level.
“Everybody's different, nobody's the same here. Everybody came from a different place," Batson said.
Batson is one of about 250 professionals on the ACL circuit this season.
“When I used to play baseball after school, I would have to go to baseball practice," Batson said. "I just do the same thing with the cornhole. Every chance that I have I’m gonna throw.”
The Bryan, Texas, native is also one of the youngest pros at just 15 years old.
“It's just awesome to have everybody around you cheering and have people supporting you," Batson said.
The roar of the crowd gives him confidence, and the compassion of others gives him comfort.
“He has so many people that are there at every event, I don't ever worry," said Batson's mom, Kimberly. “He used to be right beside me all the time, but now he's traveling and doing the thing that he loves.”
She said her son had been reluctant to branch out socially after his dad's death in 2015. That's where the cornhole community made a difference.
“[Cornhole] Made me a better person, made me also enjoy being around people more," Batson said. "I used to be more quiet, but now since people are talking I’m gonna talk back. I’m not gonna shove them off. I’m going to carry on the conversation.”
His cornhole journey has led to experiences he couldn't have imagined.
“It's the best experience," Batson said. "Everybody knows everybody and meeting new people is the best part.