Every Child Deserves a
Chance to Play Baseball
"The Miracle League" is a charitable organization that provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. There is something about playing the game of baseball that lights up kid's eyes, but for children facing physical and mental challenges, that opportunity can often be a difficult first step. The Miracle League gives these children the opportunity to get out in the sunshine, and enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form.

Dylan can’t walk but that doesn’t stop him from rounding second base. Jennifer has Downs Syndrome, but the Miracle League has given her more self-esteem than her parents ever dreamed possible. Kaliegh can’t hear, but the cheers of his teammates have never been louder. The Miracle League gives hundreds of disabled children something few dreamed possible, the chance to play baseball. Yet in all their joy and triumph, there’s still one thing missing - the ability to play the sport like everyone else.

These kids needed a place to play, so a specially equipped field called the "Field of Dreams" was built in Atlanta Georgia. This custom-designed venue incorporates a cushioned synthetic turf that accommodates wheelchairs and other walking assistance devices, while helping prevent injuries. In other words, it provides a level-playing field where physically and mentally challenged children can hit, run, and catch- just like the best of them.

The Miracle League provides every child an opportunity to hit the ball and score a run. Miracle League team members are assigned “buddies” who assist them in hitting the ball and "running" the bases. Buddies can be fellow schoolmates, parents, college students, business leaders or anyone who wishes to volunteer their time to give a child the gift of baseball.

I still think about all the kids not playing baseball, and having just run into a seasoned 15 year coach, who told me “these kids are truly the essence of our great game of baseball, they just love it for what it is”. The determined look on the player who throws his crutches aside and on his knees says to me “ Can I pitch”, or the 2 six year old twins who are totally exhausted because of their disability after 1 inning, but tell their parents “we have to keep playing, the team is depending on us” can only happen when all kids get a chance.. With over 80,000 kids with special needs in our Northland are, we are just getting started

It seems to me, my part is very small in getting the Miracle League started, to see what we can do. When you are a dreamer all of your life and open minded to what can be, how can something called the Miracle League not be your calling. 5 years ago when I innocently began this quest to provide a league and fields for all kids with special needs to play baseball in the North Country, to listen to others on why it couldn’t happen would have been short-sided, and to dream what was possible was all that I could imagine. And so with 6 fields complete, and 5 more to be completed within the year, we have more dreams to dream, and what we can become. 1,500 players with another 1,500 on the way, never given a chance, not now, NO WAY!

All they need, is an opportunity to be believed in, to create joy for this great game, and a moment for a kid to be a player, when most often, never given the chance. To see the shock of a mother when their son/daughter makes contact at the bat, is the same thrill when on the biggest stage the professionals do it for real. For it is awe that they show, almost disbelief, that they can do it on their own. For Moms and Dads, it’s this wonderful respite, to see your kid being a kid, and a special day to be a fan!

Who are these “Buddies” I talk about. The fabulous volunteers that guide our special ballplayers through our game. Sometimes with fielding, throwing, or batting help, and yet realizing each of our players has special gifts, just like themselves, only different.

If it makes you curious it should, Harmon was, and he decided to play, and so did the mighty Twins too, our Miracle League is about miraculous players, and Buddies, and great Coaches too. It’s our national pastime, baseball you know, come and join us, “at our Big Show”.