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We are a League that provides opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to play baseball, regardless of their abilities. We cannot change or cure the medical issues life has dealt them. What we can do is provide them with an opportunity to experience the joy and benefits that come from playing baseball. We believe every child deserves a chance to play baseball.
There is something about playing the game that lights up a youngster’s eyes. But for children and adults facing serious Physical and mental disabilities that opportunity can often be difficult to achieve. Baseball diamonds weren’t exactly designed with wheelchairs and crutches in mind. The Jacksonville Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children and adults with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field. Since the main barriers for these children arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional youth leagues, Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, synthetic Turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries. But it’s more than playing a game. The Jacksonville Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other ball players. To help the athletes, the Miracle league uses a “buddy” system, pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. The result is a bond that cannot be described. The Jacksonville Miracle League serves children and adults of all ages, who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities, which causes them to be excluded – Whether intentionally or not – from conventional youth baseball leagues.
The Jacksonville Miracle League story:
In 2003 the Westside Rotary Club of Jacksonville stepped up to form the Rotary Miracle League Fund, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization. This organization raised the funds necessary to build a special "Field of Dreams" which meet the unique needs of the Miracle League players. The City of Jacksonville sectioned off unused land at Jacksonville's newest 90 acre regional park McGirts Creek to build this unique field. Also playing at this new regional park was one of Jacksonville's best and oldest youth associations West Duval Youth Association. WDYA was given the task of forming the Jacksonville Miracle League. WDYA did not disappoint and found one of their own current board of directors, Cary Hanson, who enjoyed coaching baseball/softball for many years at Wheat Field. Cary eagerly volunteered to take on this opportunity and started this separate league from the ground up, becoming the league's first president. Once the construction completed in 2007 the field was donated to the City and in May 2007 the "Field of Dreams" was dedicated in honor of Lew Brantley. The Jacksonville Miracle League and West Duval Youth Association share the park and to this day have a cooperative partnership. Our first season began in the fall of 2007 with 25 players. After the first game was played, we weren't positive who had the most fun, the players or the parents. Since our league was formed, our local TV stations, newspapers and radio shows have spread the word about this fantastic league and our amazing athletes.
National Miracle League story:
In 1997 Rockdale Youth Baseball Association’s coach Eddie Bagwell invited the first disabled child Michael to play baseball on his team; Michael a 7 year old child in a wheel chair attended every game and practice, while cheering on his 5 year old brother play America’s favorite pass-time.
And in 1998, the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association (RYBA) formed the Miracle League to further its mission of providing opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of their ability. The disabled children in the community had expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases just like their healthy peers. The league began with 35 players on four teams.
There were no programs for the Miracle League to copy. It was decided that:
Every player bats once each inning
All players are safe on the bases
Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run)
Community children and volunteers serve as ‘buddies’ to assist the players
Each team and each player wins every game
The main concern was the playing surface, presenting potential safety hazards for players in wheelchairs or walkers.
In its spring 1999 season, the Miracle League gained support and became a source of pride for all involved as participation grew to over 50 players. During that season, the magnitude of the need for such a program was recognized. It was learned that there are over 50,000 plus children in Metro Atlanta who are disabled to some degree that keeps them from participating in team sports. That is when the dream of building a unique baseball complex for these special children was conceived.
The Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers stepped forward to form the Rotary Miracle League Fund, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization. The new organization had two objectives: (1) raise the funds necessary to build a special complex with facilities that meet the unique needs of the Miracle League players, and (2) assist in the outreach efforts for Miracle Leagues across the country.
With the help of community volunteers and companies, the design and construction of the first Miracle League complex was underway. The complex would include a custom-designed field with a cushioned rubberized surface to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players. The design also included three grass fields, which could be converted to the synthetic rubber surface as the league grew. In addition, accessible restrooms, a concession stand, and picnic pavilion were included in the design
The Miracle League complex was completed in April 2000. On opening day, the Miracle League rosters had grown to over 100 players. The players raced around the bases and chatted with their teammates in the dugouts as they celebrated. Nicholas Slade, a player who had been in a coma just a week before, threw out the first ball.
The players’ enthusiasm has continued to grow. By spring, 2002, over 250 players filled the Miracle League rosters. The parents tell stories of their children insisting on playing despite bouts with kidney stones, broken bones, and recent hospitalizations. The thrill of playing, the cheers from the stands, and the friendships they develop make the Miracle League Field an oasis away from their everyday battles.
In its first season, there were no programs to copy. It was decided that each player would bat once each inning that all batters would be safe and score a run before the inning was over. Each team and each player always wins. Our umpire describes this as the only league where no one ever gets mad at him or her.
“Buddies” assist Miracle League player. These buddies are mainstream children who play baseball, youth church groups, boys and girls scouts to mention a few. As a result, the parents, children and volunteers are all brought together – special needs and mainstream alike-in a program, which serves them all through service to children with special needs. The program is opened to children from any community and, until December 1, 2001 was one of a kind.
The Miracle League has received local and national media attention. The league has been chronicled in the local newspaper, televised locally on NBC, ABC, Connecting With Kids and FOX, Atlanta affiliates and nationally on CNN, MSNBC and Fox Sports. In July 2001, the league was profiled on a segment of HBO’s Real Sports. Articles profiling the league appeared in People, Family Circle and Rotary International magazines, and Paula Deen. In January 2002 two men from the Miracle League were awarded the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and on January 24th PAX TV’s “It A Miracle” told the story of Conyers Miracle League Player Lauren Gunder. February 2002 the Miracle League Players were featured in Rotary Internationals’ PSA, chosen out of 500 applicants. Winter of 2002 the Miracle League again was profiled in the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. January of 2002 won the 11ALIVE TV Community Service Award and June of 2002 took the Jefferson Award, The American Institute for Public Services, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr. One of the greatest achievements was being inducted to The Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. The publicity from these media events, coupled with positive word of mouth, raises awareness among the families of children with special needs and allows the Miracle League Association to take the program across the country.
The Miracle League recently received the 2008 National Consortium for Academics and Sports Award
Presently there are 200 Miracle League Organizations across the country including Puerto Rico, 100 completed rubberized fields, and 100 fields under construction. The Miracle League is proud to serve over 80,000 children and young adults with disabilities.
Our immediate goal of 500 plus Miracle League fields including several international locations will serve approximately 1.3 million children. This goal is being realized with the help of communities, volunteers, parents, donators, individual sponsors, and corporate sponsors. This program will be offered to every city in the country so children with special needs around the globe will have this same opportunity. The Miracle League believes;
“Every Child Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball.” |
