There is something about playing the game that lights 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 children with mental and physical disabilities 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, rubberized 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. The result is an experience that lasts a lifetime for all participants. The Miracle League serves children who suffer from disabilities that may cause them to be excluded from conventional youth baseball leagues. According to the 2000 Census Bureau, there are 12.3 million children in our country between the ages of 5 and 19 who suffer from some form of mental or physical disability.