Overview of the Alameda East Bay Miracle League
The Alameda East Bay Miracle League believes all children deserve a place to play.
Our Goal
The Alameda East Bay Miracle League is a non-profit with the mission to build an adapted sports field for differently-abled children and adults and provide the only chance to play Miracle League Baseball in Northern California. When completed the field will be used for team baseball and soccer, and be integrated within a larger sports complex.
Who will benefit?
Literally thousands of children.Initially the opportunity to play team sports on an accessible field will be available for the 32,000 special needs children in the 9 counties that constitute the greater SF Bay Area. However, through organized team sports such as Miracle League Baseball, Beep Ball, Exceptional Soccer, the Disabled Veterans, and Senior Leagues – we will impact the lives of all-aged players, their families and extended families who will have a chance to witness these special athletes finally being able to participate in sports. In addition, with Miracle League-style baseball, each disabled player has an able-bodied sports buddy to help them manage the ball or 'run' the bases. The new field will be a resource for not only disbled athletes, their families and their sports buddies, it will also have a positive impact for the entire community into the future.
When can we start the project?
Miracle Park will be built in a neglected housing area previously occupied by the US Navy. The Navy is in the process of conveying the property to the City of Alameda. The City has provided the AEBML with funding for design and over an acre of land to build our adapted field. Construction could begin as early as Fall of 2010.
How long until completion?
It's estimated that the field and supporting structures will take 9 months to build. In the mean time, Alameda East Bay Miracle League is prepared to begin organizing sign-up for team sports as soon as we have an estimated completion date.
Who else will help?
In addition to support from the City of Alameda, Alameda East Bay Miracle League (as a non-profit) has received financial pledges and significant interest in the Miracle Park from charitable foundations and local corporations.
Possible challenges
While not anticipated, the only foreseeable challenge Alameda East Bay Miracle League may encounter is difficulty with raising funds in order to build the accessible field in a timely manner. Regardless, we hope to begin our league operations by Spring 2011, using available sports fields until Miracle Park is built.
Steps to make the project a success
We are well underway with public awareness, land acquisition, fund raising, and design. The next steps will be the construction and the instigation of the sports league(s).
The Project's Estimated Budget
To build Miracle Park with appropriate common areas (such as parking) it is estimated the cost will be $2 million in funds and donated services.
Our experience in managing this project like this
No one on our extensive Board has ever built an adapted field for disabled athletes and wheelchair sports. But together we have built fields, managed public construction projects, organized accessible park and recreation facilities, run sports leagues, professionally fundraised, advocated for individuals with disabilities, and raised children with disabilities!
How our project will impact the world around us?
The creation of Miracle Park will not only replace an abandoned and neglected field with a vibrant sports park, it will provide a place for all Bay Area citizens to PLAY and experience the life-long sense of accomplishment, teamwork and competitive fellowship that sports, at its best, offers. Without this field, many in our community may never experience true sportsmanship.
Measurements & Milestones for Success
We will know we are successful when we have built a field and launched our first baseball league. However, we will measure the meaning of that success in the smiles of the athletes, their able-body buddies, and of the families in the stands when they participate in a ball game at Miracle Park.
Life is not meant to be easy, my child, but take courage - it can be delightful.
George Bernard Shaw