Local Miracle Leagues hit it out of the park: Smiles all around

Local Miracle Leagues hit it out of the park: Smiles all around

Story by Lisa Player

If you ever want to be surrounded by smiles, you will find nothing but joy at either one of our local Miracle League fields. The Miracle League provides baseball opportunities for players with disabilities where both sides cheer for each other and the parents are happy, the players are happy, and the fans are happy.

Miracle League baseball fields are made of special material that allows wheelchair and assistive device access, and every player is teamed up with a volunteer buddy who accompanies them as they bat, round the bases and play in the outfield.

BRINGING IT HOME

Back in 2000, The Miracle League of Pensacola was born from an idea Larry Thompson shared with his wife, Donna.

“We had recently lost our youngest son in a car accident. He had just turned 16. We were devastated. We needed something to pour ourselves into and decided that giving to others was the right direction for us,” Thompson explained.

Around the same time, they saw a “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” segment about a special needs baseball park.

“We traveled to Georgia to find out more about this special needs baseball park, and subsequently decided that building a special needs baseball park in Pensacola would be a wonderful way to remember, and celebrate, the son we lost. His name was Brad, and he loved playing baseball,” Thompson said.

They teamed up with their friend, Packey Mitchell, and spent the next year or so “clearing land, doing paperwork, licensing, contracting, building, and working with the many generous donors who helped get the project off the ground.”

Escambia County donated the land next to an existing baseball park on Nine Mile Road.

The Miracle League of Pensacola opened in 2002 and has been going strong ever since.

MAKE IT A DOUBLE

Miracle League of Santa Rosa County Vice President Carol Joyner helped bring a second area field to Tiger Point in Gulf Breeze, which opened in spring of 2019.

“Before we got a field in Santa Rosa County, I had to drive my special needs sister, Donna, to the games in Pensacola,” Joyner said. “Donna is 64 years old. She has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair.”

The drive was worth it, though, because Donna, who is very shy, loved it so much.

“I still remember the first time she played in Pensacola. As Donna was pushed around the bases in her wheelchair by her buddy, she looked up at all the people cheering for her. I had never seen her hold her head so high. She was proud,” Joyner explained.

“When we got home, she said, ‘I never thought I could play baseball.’ We drove to Pensacola about five years on Friday nights so Donna could play. She felt loved.”

As popularity grew in Pensacola, it was clear there were many more area residents who would benefit from another field closer to where they lived in Santa Rosa County, so Joyner and a committee of passionate volunteers gathered to make it happen. Securing an Impact 100 grant was a huge step that jumpstarted the process.

A GRAND SLAM

With nearly 300 players in Pensacola and almost 150 at the Santa Rosa County field, Miracle League is making a huge difference in our area.

“At the Miracle League, I have witnessed many unexpected things,” Thompson said. “When we started 22 years ago, we used a hitting tee 90% of the time. Now it’s only about 5% of the time.”

There were more accomplishments, too, and Thompson has several heartwarming stories to share about players who gained physical strength, confidence and social skills through Miracle League.

“We have another special player who has been with us since the Miracle League opened. She is now an adult player, and her specialty is hugs. If you come to the Miracle League for a game, you are guaranteed a hug from her, but most likely more than just one,” he said.

Both Miracle Leagues have fall and spring seasons each year, and both serve residents of all ages and abilities.

“At the Miracle League, our players are not defined or limited by their disability,” Thompson explained. “We give them the opportunity to play baseball, but it’s so much more than that. It gives them something to look forward to. It gives them confidence. hope and a place to belong. It gives them the opportunity to form relationships with friends. Most importantly, it gives them the opportunity to just be kids. The Miracle League’s players are like family.”

Joyner said she enjoys seeing the community come together for a common cause:  

“Every day, we see so much bad in the world. But when you come to watch a Miracle League game, all you can see is good…. There is no cursing, no bullying, no judgements. Players encourage each other. All you see is love and respect. Wow! What if we could all just live in a world like that every day?”

BATTER UP!

Whether you live in Pensacola or Santa Rosa County, there are many ways to help the Miracle League continue to provide life-changing recreation for neighbors with special needs. Both leagues have a fall season beginning in September, so now is a great time to get involved.

“We would not be able to do everything we do without the help of our donors and our volunteers,” Thompson said. “The Miracle League receives no state or county funding. We depend on donations from people and local businesses. For every player we need a volunteer ‘buddy’ to be there to help them get to a base, hold the bat, push their wheelchair, or whatever need they may have.”

Student buddies who come from high schools can earn service hours, but buddies can also be military members, families, businesses, church groups. Buddies can volunteer for one game or an entire season. The leagues also need coaches, team parents, announcers, umpires and concession workers, along with behind-the-scenes help like ordering jerseys and trophies and planning end-of-season parties.

Financial donations make it possible for players with special needs to play when they otherwise couldn’t afford to, and they also help the leagues pay for utilities and maintenance, upgrades to the facilities and more.

“Our field is a custom-designed rubberized field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices. The upkeep is very expensive,” Joyner said. “Now after just five years, we need to make some expensive fence repairs too. Donations also go to jerseys, team parties, buddy shirts, trophies, etc.”