Latest Miracle League Minnesota News
Stepping on the field is a victory
By David La Vaque, Minneapolis Star Tribune
It is opening night of the fall season at the Miracle League field in Blaine, and about 20 kids have gathered to play baseball in defiance of their various disabilities.
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.
The Miracle League was founded in 2000 in Georgia and has grown to more than 140 organizations across the country. The mission is to provide kids ages 3 to 19 the chance to play baseball, to chase their dreams on a field of synthetic turf. No one keeps score, but they keep co! ming back.
"For a lot of kids, this is their first chance to play on a team," league executive director Kevin Thoresen said. "They can come here and play every week just like any other organized baseball league."
The Blaine field, which is part of the baseball complex on Paul Parkway off Hwy. 65, opened in May. 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.
The chance to keep playing despite chilly weather brought about 20 kids to the field last week. For Benjamin Schmitz, a 7-year-old from Andover, it was a chance to be the star attraction. He enjoys watching his brother and sister play their sports but relishes being on a team of his own.
"He couldn't wait to come back every week," said his mother, Brenda. "He knows it's noncompetitive but he always wants to make outs."
When Benjamin, whose legs are! hampered by cerebral palsy, is up to bat, he hits the ball, g! rabs his walker and heads for first base. He bats left, just like Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, his favorite player.
Jolynn Super, a 10-year-old from Blaine, is partial to Twins center fielder Torii Hunter. She has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair to get around the field. Baseball is her first love, and she passed up the last four weeks of horseback riding classes to play fall ball.
Players can hold down their choice of position in the field, and they hit balls pitched to them on their own or with the help of a "buddy." Buddies can be friends, siblings, parents or volunteers. Last week, a Lino Lakes Boy Scout troop was on hand to help while also putting in hours toward earning their disability awareness merit badges.
The Blaine field is the first of its kind in the state. Financial contributions to build the field included $20,000 from the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, $130,000 from the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation and $135,000 worth o! f heavy equipment and labor costs from the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association.
Thoresen, who founded Minnesota's Miracle League organization, began working with kids with special needs in high school. And he has two sons with special needs, Tyler, 15, and Jacob, 13. Both played in the league 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
