If I were to tell you about an organized youth baseball league,
You might call it ordinary.
If I were to tell you the athletes are physically and mentally challenged,
You might call it touching.
If you were to see them play, you would call it a Miracle


What is the Miracle League? It's hope, determination and a display of human spirit that is unequaled. And of course...there's baseball.

There is something about playing the game that light up a youngster's eyes. But for children 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 Miracle League removes the barriers that keep mentally and physically disabled children off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America's favorite pastime. 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 assistive devices while helping to prevent injuries.

But it's more than playing a game. The Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other kids. To help the athletes, The Miracle League uses a "buddy" system – pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. What results is a bond that cannot be described.

The Miracle League Association serves children between the ages of 3 and 19 who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities which causes them to be excluded -whether intentionally or not- from conventional youth baseball leagues. Tens of thousands of special needs children will be served through the program. The original Miracle League complex in Conyers, Georgia includes the synthetic turf field along with 250 special needs children the opportunity to play baseball.

Our History and Accomplishments

In the spring of 1997, a 5-year old t-ball team coach, watched a young boy from behind the fence, in a wheel chair. The young boy never missed a game or practice, watching his 5-year-old brother play t-ball. The coach was touched by this young boy's love and devotion for the game, so in the fall of 1997 the coach invited this young boy in the wheel chair to come on the field and play baseball. From that great invitation, the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association (RYBA) of Conyers, Georgia 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 this community expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases just like their healthy peers and so the Miracle League began with 35 players on four teams.

In the spring of 1999's season, the Miracle League gained support and became a source of pride for all involved as participation grew to over 80 players. During that season, the magnitude of the need for such a program was recognized. In addition, it had become clear that the league needed a different kind of baseball field since the regular grass fields presented potential safety hazards for players in wheelchairs and walkers. 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 separate 105 (c) (3) organization. The new organization had two objectives: (l) raise the funds necessary to build a special complex a with facilities that meet the unique needs of the Miracle League players, and (2) assist in the outreach efforts for the Miracle League.

With the help of the community, volunteers, corporations and small companies, the design and construction of the first Miracle League complex was underway. The complex would include a custom-designed field with a cushioned synthetic turf to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchairs-bound or visually impaired players. The design also included three grass fields, which could be converted to the synthetic turf as the league grew. In addition, accessible restrooms, a concession stand and a picnic pavilion were included in the design.

The Miracle League complex was complete 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 4-year-old player, who was born with no eyes and who had been in a coma just a week before, threw out the first ball.

The player's enthusiasm has continued to grow. 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.

"Buddies" assist most Miracle League players. These buddies are mainstream children who play baseball on RYBA teams. As a result, the parents, children and volunteers are all brought together – special need and mainstream alike – in a program, which serves them all through service to children with special needs.

The League has received local and national media attention. The League has been chronicled in the local newspaper and newspapers around America, televised both locally on NBC 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 both People and Family Circle magazines.

We are also very proud to say that in January 2002 two of the men responsible for helping in such a huge way were awarded the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and on January 24th PAX TV's "It's a Miracle" television program told the story of Conyers Miracle League Player, Lauren Gunder. The Miracle League also received the 11 ALIVE Community Service Award in April of 2002. The Miracle League Association has now taken this wonderful opportunity to another level, we are proud to announce that we have of 55 fields under construction

The Miracle League is no longer about 200 special needs children finding the opportunity to play baseball, but providing tens of thousands of special needs children with the opportunity to expand their boundaries by playing this great game. The dreams of these special children and their parent's are coming true and they are doing what they never dreamed possible.

Our players may not be able to run the bases or hit the ball as well as their healthy peers, but they have an incredible amount of determination to play. We believe "Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball."

Thank you for being an "Angel in Our Outfield",
Stephen Peck
Chairman, The Miracle League of Michigan
Steve@michiganmiracle.org
http://www.michiganmiracle.org
(248) 506-4604