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Miracle League’s popular Grandparents Day returns for second year

B Y LEAH WOLF

FFEW THINGS ARE MORE CLASSICALLY AMERICAN than the sights and sounds of a summer baseball game except, perhaps, playing the game itself – which is why Miracle League of Central Ohio believes every child deserves the chance to play baseball.

Since its inaugural season in 2005, the Miracle League of Central Ohio has helped disabled players ages 3 to 21 experience the fun of playing baseball. On a specially built field at Darree Fields Park on Cosgray Road – complete with synthetic turf and built-in bases – the players and their middle or high school aged volunteer buddies bat, field the ball and run around the bases together. Many of these buddies build strong relationships with their players and return year after year to play together.

“We have (kids with) physical special needs, we have autistic children, we even have had some blind children play in the league,” says Joe Fox, director of the Miracle League of Central Ohio. “The games are not competitive. We make a big deal about the kids when they come up to bat and when they score.”

One of the biggest successes last season was Grandparents Day, which drew so many people that fans were lined up around the outfield wall. The second Grandparents Day will be held June 23.

At this event, grandparents walk to the baselines with their grandchildren during the opening ceremony, and one grandparent from each team throws out a first pitch. During last year’s event, there was also a banner full of almost 100 notes from the grandchildren about why their grandparents were special to them.

“Most of our events are very simple but it’s all about the kids having fun,” says Fox. “This is definitely a day the kids (have) fun.”

Grandparents Day provides the opportunity for many unique memories.

“The children are from all over central Ohio, but that doesn’t mean their grandparents are here every weekend,” says Fox. “Some people came in from far away and had a chance to see their grandson or granddaughter play for maybe this one time all year.”

As the second biggest league of its kind in the country, The Miracle League of Central Ohio draws players from as far away as the Dayton area. Without support of the community and volunteers, these children wouldn’t have the chance just to be kids enjoying the Great American pastime.

“Support from the community for the Miracle League has been outstanding –even overwhelming at times,” says Fox.

For more information or to register, visit www.ohiomiracleleague.org.

Leah Wolf is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@pubgroupltd. com.

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