I've been wanting to get to the custom-made ballpark in Heidelberg Township where they play games in The Miracle League for years. I heard about it when it opened in 2006 and was very intrigued. Many people told me I should check it out.
Planned trips a few times, but either it got rained out or something popped up to keep me from getting there.
Finally, I got my shot on Saturday and the place, the atmosphere, the kids, especially the kids, didn't disappoint.
What a neat little place.
Just looking at those kids, kids with special needs who possess special gifts, tugs at your heart. You know down deep that every day is a struggle for them and their families. Their hardships vary, but tough times abound. You know it hasn't been easy, but the one thing all have in common is the determination to overcome and you can see that determination as they attempt to hit the ball.
Melissa Kocsis, the The Miracle League's executive director, gave me the nuts and bolts of the program.
"The program started in 2006," she said. "We have 16 teams and every child belongs to their own team. It's non-competitive. There's no winner or loser. Every child stays at bat until they hit the ball. Every inning ends with a grand slam and every game ends in a tie."
"In regard to the ages, we were 4 to 18 this year, but some of the older kids are outgrowing that range and yet they still want to play. So, next year we may split the league up a little. We may have two different divisions, one for ages 4 to 15 and another 16 to 26.
"The place was built by Butz Construction after the Jaindl family donated the five acres of land. Kostas Kalogeropoulus and Linney Fowler really helped with the funding.
"Basically we're funded with corporate and local organization donations and we need 300 volunteers per week for this to run because each child needs to be paired with an 'angel.' If you go to our web site miracleleaguelv.org, you can register to participate as a volunteer or you can get sponsorship information.
"The season generally goes from May 9 to October 10 and we'll play as long as the weather permits us to play. There are us major Halloween and Christmas events where all the kids get gifts. We have winter activiities where we try to find space for indoor baseball games. We really try to develop a community for the kids and make them a part of something larger that many kids can be a part of and they don't feel alone."
Finally, Kocsis said she loved her job and explained why.
"I see kids everyday who typically wouldn't be able to play sports. Here, they are able to be a part of a team, form friendships and lasting relationships. And most importantly, they can be kids. Many of them have so many doctor appointments and a lot of strain in their lives. They go through walkers and wheelchairs and they often don't feel part of the mainstream. But here they can be. Here, they're just kids playing baseball. That's what The Miracle League is all about."
Keith Groller
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