OCEAN PINES, Md. - Special Olympics athletes gathered Nov. 7 at the Ocean Pines Racquet Center to participate in a first for the area: red ball tennis, an event which was coordinated by Special Olympics Maryland, the Ocean Pines Association and Maryland Sen. Mary Beth Carozza.

Red ball tennis uses a simplified format and different rules, which allows athletes with different experience levels to learn the game, participate and have fun. The red ball is larger than a standard ball and doesn't bounce as high or quickly. Nets are also lower. Participants played unified doubles on a short court during the event.