White Sox Benetti

Living the Dream | An Interview With Chicago White Sox Announcer Jason Benetti

Every day at NSPT, we welcome families into our clinics. Each child is so incredibly unique with their Jason-Benettitreatment, their diagnosis, the challenges they may face, the strengths that they have, etc. We are often told by parents that their biggest question is “what’s next for their child?” “Will they succeed in life?” At NSPT, our mission is to help each and every kiddo reach their maximum potential…whatever that may be.

Jason Benetti, the newest addition to the broadcasting team for the Chicago White Sox, is living his own childhood dream. At a young age, Jason was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Like our families, there was a point in time where maybe his family had the same questions about “what’s next?” He recalls at a young age going through a few surgeries and spending time at the Rehab Institute of Chicago. “Everyone there was just wonderful,” said Benetti. A typical week at a young age included Physical and Occupational Therapy and focusing on building range of motion.

Benetti grew up on the Southside in Homewood and is a graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Initially, he was a member of the band playing tuba. “That probably wasn’t the best thing for me to be doing,” joked Benetti. It was at that time the band director asked him if he would be interested in sitting in the press box during games and calling out the next set as the band was performing. This was the beginning of a growing passion for broadcasting. Homewood-Flossmoor was one of few high schools that had their own radio station, so Benetti was able to further pursue and develop his skills.

Upon graduation, Jason attended Syracuse University to pursue a career in broadcasting. While there, he was able to continue to build his skills as the Triple A announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays. But nothing fits quite like being able to land your dream job with your favorite team growing up. We were able to sit down with Jason and ask him about what it’s like to be a broadcaster for his hometown team, the Chicago White Sox.

Were there any broadcasters you wanted to be like growing up?

Benetti: There were a lot of people, Hawk Harrelson was the guy I would mimic with catchphrases walking around saying, and “You can put it on the board, YES!” But I’m not particularly a catch phrase guy myself. So Hawk was the guy. He has been so encouraging of me doing half of the games with Steve Stone, just genuine and kind.

When you first expressed interest, what did people around you say? Was there adversity or support?

Benetti: As a radio guy, no one cared what I looked like. Viv Bernstein did a story in early 2010 and asked me if there was a ceiling with regards to TV. It took time for people to warm up to the fact that I can’t look into the camera or have a commanding strut walking into a room, so perceptively there was an adjustment period for people. I quickly found great allies with Time Warner in Syracuse and ESPN. Once they got to know me, they were supportive. It just takes one person.

If you could call a game for any baseball player, who would it be? Retired or current.

Benetti: Growing up Robin Ventura was my favorite player, so in a way, I now get to call games for him.

What are you most looking forward to this season?

Benetti: I’m looking forward to the development of the rapport between myself and Steve Stone. We have only had one game so far, but I felt comfortable after and am excited to have the partnership develop. Steve has such a wealth of knowledge. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

What was it like sitting in the booth at US Cellular Field for the first time?

Benetti: It was just like another game, but with way more people interested. I’ve done so many baseball games and baseball is baseball. There weren’t really nerves, just a new experience.

What is it like working alongside hall of fame broadcaster Steve Stone?

Benetti: Anyone who is creative grows up wanting to be around other people like that. Steve Stone and crew fulfills that 100 percent. To be in a room with everyone wanting to do great work, to work with someone who expands like Steve, is everything anyone could want in a partner doing games.

Do you ever meet with or talk to young athletes? Or young individuals with CP or other disabilities? What is the one thing you tell them?

Benetti: I would tell them if you think people perceive you a certain way, you are not crazy and they might be, but do everything you can to disregard that and get past it, it could be damaging to the relationship. It is happening, but trust yourself to get past it.

And one final question…you heard it here first…Prediction…will it be a Cubs vs. White Sox World Series?

Benetti: I’m going to say yeah, it would be great fun. The Billy Goat couldn’t be blamed. Someone would have huge bragging rights for a long time.


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Arm with kinesiotape

What is Kinesio® Tape and why is it used on children?

Physical therapists and occupational therapists often use Kinesio® Tape on their clients as an adjunct to therapy. So what is Kinesio® Tape? You might have seen this colorful tape on Olympic athletes in various locations and various patterns. It is an elastic tape that has multiple purposes depending on where and how it is applied. It is often used to reduce pain, swelling, improve strength, encourage optimal alignment, and decrease muscle fatigue.  Kinesio® Tape can be used at full tension like regular athletic tape. However, it is the elastic qualities of Kinesio® Tape that make it therapeutic.

Properties of Kinesio® Tape:

-Latex free
-Variable tension depending on function
-Adhesive is medical grade acrylic and heat sensitive
-Allows for free movement instead of restricted movement like regular athletic tape
-Similar elasticity as human skin, so it can stay on for days to maximize its full effect

Purpose of Kinesio® Tape:

-To hold a joint in optimal position to help an overstretched or overworked muscle to rest and return to its most efficient length.
-Keeping a body part in better alignment helps the muscles contract and work in a less stressful fashion during daily activities.
-To increase input to the skin around a specific muscle or joint. With this new proprioceptive input, more awareness of that body part leads to more strength.
-To help relax an overused muscle which helps reduce pain and swelling
-Improve lymphatic flow and reduce edema and bruising, allowing for accelerated healing

Who can benefit:

People with a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, or medical conditions, such as:

-Cerebral Palsy
-Conditions with weakness or paralysis of a certain body part
-Down Syndrome
-Gross Motor Developmental Delay
-Children with gait abnormalities such as toe-walking, flat feet, hyperextension, etc.
-Low muscle tone
-Decreased coordination
-Brain injury
-Painful orthopedic injury
-Poor posture
-And many more…

Not only is Kinesio® Tape safe for use on children, I have found Kinesio® Taping to be extremely beneficial and valuable to my clinical practice.  This elastic tape can be left on for 3-4 days after application. Often times, I put it on at the end of a session to help my clients retain the gains we made during the session. In a way, it improves carryover from week to week, and brings the physical effects of therapy home. With babies, this “reminder” is especially important, as they are still working on their neuromuscular control and cannot make a conscious effort to contract a certain muscle or hold a specific position during their play activities. With children, the colorful tape gives them a fun visual cue to increase use of a certain body part and strengthen those all important neuromuscular connections.


Kase, K, Martin, P, Yasukawa, A. Kinesio®Taping in Pediatrics. 2006. Kinesio® USA , LLC. 16-19.

The Rewards of Adaptive Bicycles for Children

Bicycle or tricycle riding is an important component of childhood. For certain children with medical complexities, there are special equipment that enable them to explore the world just like any other child.

When I was working as a physical therapist on the pediatric floor of a rehabilitation hospital, I encountered many children and families impacted by debilitating conditions and circumstances. From cerebral palsy and brain injury, to spinal injury, or cancer, many of the children I met proved that being physically and cognitively limited did not keep them from participating in stimulating play activities.

Adaptive tricycles are designed to provide less able-bodied children a way to exercise their limbs, practice their skills and encourage their participation. 

They often come with various features and accessories such as extra wide frames, trunk reinforcement, head support, leg straps, hand straps, steering assist, etc. They make it possible for children who have low muscle tone, motor control, coordination, or cognitive function to engage in locomotion.

How Can an Adaptive Bicycle Help?

For children with diagnoses that reduce their trunk control, adaptive bikes provide a safe environment where they can work on coordinating their limbs while having their back fully supported or strapped in.  For children who fatigue easily due to their medical conditions, adaptive bikes offer the option of having an adult help steer from behind.  For children who lack the motor control to alternately pedal their legs, foot straps and connected pedals make the reciprocal motion easier by putting muscles and joints through those much needed ranges. Depending on the type of bike, adaptive handles can also accommodate all kinds of grip. So when a child with upper body weakness has a hard time grasping or holding the handlebars to steer a regular bike, an adaptive bike allows them more control of their locomotion.

Durable wheels and a parking brake make adaptive bikes safe for children with a wide range of physical abilities and conditions.  Children with medical complexities who are restricted to a wheelchair can still benefit from rides in an adaptive bike.  Aerobic training and upright posture, as well as limb movements (facilitated or self-initiated), are an essential part of the growth and rehabilitation process for children of all different capabilities. All of this is made easy by special equipment such as the adaptive bike. Being outside and being able to participate in activities with other children promote emotional health and create positive environments for mental and physical growth.

The Rewards of Using Adaptive Bicycles

I have watched many children blossom behind the wheel of an adaptive bicycle. Taking part in that transition is such a rewarding process.  Children who were unable to move certain parts of their bodies after an injury were eventually able to transfer what they learned during cycling to standing and walking tasks. Toddlers who were never able to stand on their own were able to experience, for the first time, limb movements and self-propulsion locomotion. Seeing the smiles on their faces, and hearing the laughter of their parents and siblings… Those moments definitely made my job worthwhile.

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In this video you will learn:

  • How sensory input is related to toe walking
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Video Transcription:







