National Miracle League History

In 1997, Rockdale Youth Baseball Association's coach, Eddie Bagwell, invited the first disabled child, Michael Moore to play baseball on his team after watching this 7 years old in his wheel chair attending every game and practice, while cheering on his 5 year old brother play America's favorite pass-time.

In 1998 the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association (RYBA) formed the Miracle League to further its mission of providing opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of their ability. The disabled children in the community had expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases just like their healthy peers. The league began with 35 players on four teams. There were no comparable programs for the Miracle League to copy. Therefore, the following rules were developed:

• 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

One of the biggest concerns of the Miracle League was that their teams would have to play on the same grass fields as the RYBA teams, presenting potential safety hazards for players in wheelchairs or walkers.

In its spring 1999 season, the Miracle League gained widespread support and became a source of pride for all involved as participation grew to over 80 players. During that season, the magnitude of the need for such a program was recognized. At that time there were over 50,000 children in Metro Atlanta whose disabilities prevented them from participating in team sports. Finally the dream of building a unique baseball complex for these special children was born.

The Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers stepped forward to form the Rotary Miracle League Fund, Inc., a 105(c)3 organization. The new organization had two objectives: (1) to raise the funds necessary to build a special complex with facilities that meet the unique needs of the Miracle League players, and (2) to assist in the outreach efforts for the Miracle League.

With the help of community volunteers and companies, the design and construction of the first Miracle League complex was underway. The complex would include a custom-designed field with a cushioned synthetic turf to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players. The design also included three grass fields that could be converted to the synthetic turf as the league grew. Accessible restrooms, a concession stand, and picnic pavilion were also included in the design. The Miracle League complex was completed in April 2000. On opening day, the Miracle League rosters had grown to over 100 players. The players raced around the bases and chatted with their teammates in the dugouts as they celebrated. Nicholas Slade, a player who had been in a coma just a week before, threw out the first ball.

The players' enthusiasm continued to grow. By the spring of 2002, over 250 players filled the Miracle League rosters. The parents told stories of their children insisting on playing despite bouts with kidney stones, broken bones, and recent hospitalizations. The thrill of playing, the cheers from the stands, and the friendships they developed made the Miracle League Field an oasis away from their everyday battles.

In today's Miracle League, 'Buddies' assist each player. These buddies are mainstream children who play baseball, youth church groups members, boys and girls scouts, to mention a few. As a result of this cooperative effort, parents, children and volunteers are all brought together. The program is opened to children from any community and, until December 1, 2001 was one of a kind.

The Miracle League has received local and national media attention and has been chronicled in local newspapers, on local NBC and ABC (Connecting With Kids) and FOX Atlanta stations and nationally on CNN, MSNBC and Fox Sports. In July 2001, the league was profiled on a segment of HBO's Real Sports. Articles profiling the League appeared in People, Family Circle and Rotary International magazines. In January 2002, two men from the Miracle League were awarded the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and on January 24th PAX TV's It's A Miracle told the story of Conyers Miracle League Player Lauren Gunder. In February 2002, the Miracle League Players were featured in Rotary Internationals' PSA, chosen from 500 applicants. Also in 2002, the Miracle League was profiled in the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine, won the 11ALIVE TV Community Service Award, and took the Jefferson Award from The American Institute for Public Services, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr. The publicity from these media events, coupled with positive word of mouth, raised awareness among the families of special need children and allowed the Miracle League Association to take the program across the country.

As of March 2006, there are 127 Miracle League Organizations across the country, 32 completed rubberized fields, 61 fields under construction and another 29 plus groundbreakings scheduled for 2006. The goal of building over 500 Miracle League fields, including several international locations, will serve approximately 1.3 million children. With the help of communities, volunteers, parents, donators, individual sponsors, and corporate sponsors this program will be offered to every city in the country so special needs children around the globe will have this same opportunity.

The Miracle League believes:

Every Child Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball

"If I were to tell you about an organized youth baseball league, you might call it ordinary. If I were to tell you the athletes are physically and mentally challenged you might call it touching. If you were to see them play you would call it a Miracle."

The Miracle League