It started out in 1997 when a little league coach noticed a little boy in a wheelchair who was always there behind the plate. This little boy was always there watching the game, cheering his brother on. They decided to do something to help all kids get a chance to play.
The biggest problem was making a baseball field that was accessible to everyone...the blind, those in wheelchairs, kids with walkers, etc. So they started a fundraiser and now there is a standard for all Miracle League fields. Cushioned special synthetic turf, wheelchair accessible dugouts, flat surfaces, and the bases are painted on so wheechairs can roll over them, And there are so many around the country. How wonderful and exciting. When I watch the videos, the joy of it seems to fill me up.
Here are the basic rules:
- Every player bats once each inning.
- All base runners are safe.
- Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run)
- Community children and volunteers serve as "buddies" to assist the players
- Each team and each player wins every game.
Check out the video of the Michigan Miracle League.
When you visit the national page, they run their own video on the main page to give you a sense of what Miracle League is about. I love the words they scroll through the images...
It's not about playing.
It's not about winning.
It's about making friends.
It's about building self-esteem.
It's about being just like other kids.
Making dreams come true.
They have come.
Let's build it.
It's not about winning.
It's about making friends.
It's about building self-esteem.
It's about being just like other kids.
Making dreams come true.
They have come.
Let's build it.
