For a long time in American society, baseball was treated as a sport exclusively played for and by white males with athletic inclination. There was never any room for others to participate, until recently. In 1998, the first Miracle League facility was built outside of Atlanta.
The Miracle League is a baseball league designated for people whose abilities differ from those of traditional baseball players. Although these players are equally as capable, Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and allows them to experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime.
In 2016, a baseball field was dedicated to the Miracle League at Tamiami Park. Two seasons are played each year, fall and spring, with games held on Saturday evenings.
Since the main barriers for these adults arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional leagues, Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping prevent injuries. To help the athletes, the Miracle League uses a “buddy” system in which the staff pairs each player with a more able-bodied peer. Miami Palmetto Senior High junior and Miracle League volunteer Madeline Hoel is a recurring “buddy” who has created strong bonds with the players.
“All my life I guess I’ve been a buddy because of my uncle, but the greatest thing working with people with disabilities has taught me is to be patient. Everything from waiting until they’re comfortable to do something all the way to if they have a speech impediment and struggling to get words out,” Hoel said. “Even outside of Miracle league and working with children with disabilities I’ve learned to be patient and I think it helps me be a better person.”
Hoel has built vital relationships with those she works with at Miracle League.
“Even though I have my uncle who truly is the light of my life, my favorite bond was with this guy named Andy. Even though I no longer see him anymore, he was one of my favorite players. We didn’t speak much but I think we had this quiet bond that didn’t need words for people to understand. I would always try my best to cheer him on and I started to learn little things about him,” Hoel said.
While Miami-Dade’s miracle league is one of the most successful, there are over 350 Miracle League Organizations across the country as well as internationally in Puerto Rico and Canada, while serving 450,000 children and adults. Miracle league players may not be able to run the bases or hit the ball as well as some of their peers, but they have an equal amount of love and determination to play baseball. Additionally, Miracle League volunteers make the experience for the players an unforgettable one.
MPSH Assistant Softball Coach and longtime Miracle League volunteer Casi Fraga has been at Miracle League for eight years, and started in spring 2017.
“Most of the time, people just want to be treated normally. There are a lot of people who have big hearts that come out there for the players, not just for community service hours,” Fraga said. “I have worked with a lot of families and players over the years, and I always look forward to it.”
Fraga values her experience at Miracle League and loves to inform people about it in an effort to bring more buddies to the program.
“I will always recommend the Miracle League, and I tell prospective volunteers that it is truly rewarding to see the look on the players’ faces when they catch a ball or hit it or even just being on the field. It’s only three hours of volunteering every weekend, but it means the world to the players and it is so worth it,” Fraga said.
Miracle League, while being at Tamiami Park, holds a special place in the heart of Pinecrest residents. Pinecrest councilmember Ken Fairman is also the president of Miracle League, and he never fails to encourage kindhearted people to come out and volunteer.
“One of the concepts behind the Miracle League is that the buddies and the players develop strong friendships. The players may not have the same buddy every time, but oftentimes they will, and that forms a strong bond throughout the season,” Fairman said.
During the seasons, the players get DJ’s, customized jerseys and opportunities to play in major stadiums such as Alex Rodriguez Park. The program has a major impact on these player’s lives. Many stay for multiple years, and as a result build a strong love for the sport of baseball. Fairman plans to expand the Miracle league to an extra four to six teams within the next few years, and his love for the program is strong.
“This is another thing that most of us just take for granted, and that’s the cool part of the Miracle League, is that it allows these people to take it for granted as well,” Fairman said.
It is undeniable that the Miracle League has touched these player’s hearts, and for as long as it exists, it will continue to.
