Latest Miracle League Minnesota News
For these kids, taking the field is a victory
By David La Vaque, Minneapolis Star Tribune
A cognitive disability called Fragile X syndrome limits Daniel Crippen's ability to express himself. But his father, Curt, can see his son's enjoyment of baseball.
So Daniel, 11, played this summer in the Miracle League, organized for kids ages 3 to 19 with physical or cognitive impairments.
Saturdays have meant a 45-minute car ride from the Crippens' Chanhassen home to the league's field in Blaine, which is specially equipped to handle wheelchairs and walkers. But the likely addition of a similar field in Minnetonka means the family and others like them will be able to play closer to home next season.
Executive Director Kevin Thoresen said the league, founded in 1998 in G! eorgia, is within weeks of breaking ground on another field at Bennett Family Park, located at 3717 County Road 101 in Minnetonka. The league's mission is to provide the kids the chance to play baseball, to chase their dreams on a field of synthetic turf. No one keeps score, but they keep coming back for more.
Whether physically or cognitively impaired, whether they need a walker or a wheelchair to get around, every kid hits, gets on base and crosses home plate.
"For a lot of kids, this is their first chance to play on a team," Thoresen said. "They can come here and play every week, just like any other organized baseball league."
The Blaine field opened in May, and about 140 kids took part in games played three days a week all summer. Popular demand led to a fall league, which started Sept. 19 and runs each Tuesday evening through Oct. 10.
Players can hold down their choice of position in the field, and they hit balls pitched to them on t! heir own or with the help of a "buddy." Buddies can be friends! , siblin gs, parents or volunteers.
The Blaine field is the first of its kind in the state. Financial contributions to build it included $20,000 from the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, $130,000 from the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation and $135,000 worth of heavy equipment and labor costs donated by the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association. The diamond, which measures 110 feet to all fields, is also used by city T-ball teams and the teams from the Courage Center in Golden Valley.
Thoresen said plans call for a slightly larger field in Minnetonka, which will be funded through the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, Subway restaurants and the Harmon Killebrew Foundation.
Thoresen, who founded Minnesota's Miracle League organization, began working with kids with special needs when he was attending Hopkins-Lindberg High School, from which he graduated in 1974. He now has two sons with special needs -- Tyler, 15, and Jacob, 13. Both played in the leag! ue this summer.
"We want all kids interested in playing baseball to come out, regardless of their disability," he said.
David La Vaque • 612-673-7574 • dlavaque@startribune.com
