The year was 1997 and in Conyers, Georgia; Rockdale Youth Baseball Coach
Eddie Bagwen invited the leagues first disabled child to play baseball.
Bagwells decision was inspired by the 7 year olds perseverance in attending
every game and practice.
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 abilities. The disabled children in their community had expressed the desire to dress in baseball uniforms, make plays in the field and round the bases just like their healthy peers. As a result the Miracle League was born.
There were no programs for the newly founded Miracle League to copy. It was decided that:
- Every player will bat once each inning
- All base runners are ruled 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
The main concern was that the Miracle League teams played on the same grass fields as the RYBA teams, presenting obvious safety hazards for players in wheelchairs or walkers.
In its spring 1999 season the Miracle League gained 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. It was learned that there were over 50,000 children in Metro Atlanta whose disabilities prohibited them from participating in team sports. It was then that the dream of building a unique baseball complex for these special children was conceived.
The Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers stepped forward to form the Rotary Miracle League Fund, Inc., a separate 501c3 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) assist in the administration of the Miracle League. Mr. John Schuerholz, the General Manager of the Atlanta Braves, agreed to serve as Honorary Chairman and lent his resources to promote the Miracle League throughout the Metropolitan Atlanta area.
With the help of community volunteers and local corporations, 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, complete with wheelchair accessible dugouts. The completely flat surface eliminated any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players. The design also included three grass fields, which could be converted to the synthetic turf as the league grew. In addition, accessible restrooms, a concession stand, and picnic pavilion were 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 has continued to grow. By spring 2001, over 250 players filled the Miracle League rosters. The parents tell 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 develop make the Miracle League Field an oasis away from their everyday battles.
In its first season, there were no programs to copy. It was decided that each player would bat once each inning and that all batters would be safe and score a run before the inning was over. Each team and each player always wins. One umpire describes this as the only league where no one ever gets mad at him or her.
“Buddies” assist most Miracle League players. These buddies are mainstream children who play baseball on RYBA teams. As a result, the parents, children and volunteers are all brought together – special need and mainstream alike in a program, which serves them all through service to children with special needs. The program is opened to children from any community and, until December 1, 2001 was one of a kind.
The Miracle League Association has received local and national media attention. The league has been chronicled in the local newspaper, televised both locally on NBC and FOX Atlanta affiliates 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 both People and Family Circle 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. Also in January 2002 the Miracle League won the 11Alive TV Community Service Award. February 2002 the Miracle League Players were featured in Rotary Internationals’ PSA, chosen out of 500 applicants. June 2002 the Miracle League received the Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Services, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr. Winter 2002 the Miracle League was profiled in Georgia Teach Alumni Magazine. We believe that the publicity from these events raised awareness among the families of special needs children and allows the Miracle League Association to take the program across the country.
The Miracle League Association, as of January 2003, has over 50 fields
open or under construction across the country. Another 47 fields will
break ground within the next 9 months, with a goal of 500 plus fields
by year end 2005 which includes several international locations. Our hope
is that with the help of corporate sponsors this program will be offered
in every city throughout the country so tens of thousands of special needs
children will have the same opportunity. After all “Every Child
Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball”.