I felt a little uncomfortable about writing this blog post at first because I believe that when you volunteer your time or do something for others, that you are doing it for THEM and not for any recognition or outside praise. As I thought about it more, I decided that writing a blog post about my experience with The Miracle League would be a chance to expose more people to its existence and hopefully help more people get involved in or start their own Miracle or Challenger Leagues in their communities.
Since I came here a month before spring training, I have been introduced to an incredible group of baseball players. They are mostly small in stature, because they are children, but their determination and heart is nothing short of Big League to say the least. The Miracle League (http://www.miracleleague.com/) "is a youth baseball league where special needs children have the opportunity to excel and play baseball". My good friend, Chuck, who I wrote about earlier, introduced me to it shortly after I arrived here before camp and every Saturday that my schedule has been open since, we have been at the Miracle League field helping out. By helping out, I mean that I am usually the honorary pitcher and I have yet to record an out, these kids seem to have my number. When they aren't hitting triples down the line or executing perfect base hit bunts, they have a knack for lighting me up with come backers off my back or butt, luckily the baseballs are squishy so I don't get too banged up.
The league is ran by a few generous volunteers and parents and the games are played on a special field made of rubber tiles to make it safe for all the players. It's simple to get involved, all it takes to volunteer is your time, Chuck and I just showed up, walked right on the field and started helping out. Some of the Tampa Bay Rays can be found there from time to time and also have made monetary donations as well. There were two teams this year, the Yankees and the Rays and each team was probably made up of about 9-14 boys and girls ranging in age from about 4-16. The games are typically very high scoring, maybe because I'm the all-time pitcher when I'm there, but more likely because every player gets to hit each half inning. Each game lasts for about an hour and a half or so. Unfortunately, last Saturday was the last game of the season for the children because the Florida summer is coming, and that means extreme heat and humidity which are not necessarily ideal conditions for these kids to be playing in.
The moniker, Miracle League, couldn't be more appropriate, in my time playing ball with these kids, I have seen at least 2 big time miracles. Allison, pictured above in the middle, was apparently in a wheelchair last season, I was completely shocked, because this season, the wheelchair is nowhere to be found and she was running all over the place and hitting my pitches right back at me.
Ty, who is pictured above hitting, needed the walker that is down the first base line in the picture almost exclusively to help him walk and run, but the last two Saturdays that I was there, he started to walk and run without the aide of his walker or anyone but himself. In fact, on closing day, to everyone's surprise, he RAN down the third base line and scored with a little fake slide into home. Everyone was just kind of looking at each other with the same quizzical, did I just see that look, on their faces. It was a pretty special moment to say the least and it demonstrates why stimulating programs like the Miracle League are so important for helping special needs children grow and gain experiences and have fun that they otherwise wouldn't have to opportunity to enjoy.
I've become a huge fan of these kids and their boundless enthusiasm for the game of baseball and the pure joy that they play the game with, its changed the way that I play baseball (My buddy Zach and Me, Zach has made it out to a few of my games and made me this awesome poster this weekend. I was so pumped about it I made sure all my coaches and teammates saw it up in stands throughout the game.).
As I stated above, I want to encourage everyone to seek out a Miracle League or Challenger League near you and help out. Go check it out and see what I''m talking about, and like me, you'll probably be the one doing all the learning.
Miracle League
Challenger Division
Since I came here a month before spring training, I have been introduced to an incredible group of baseball players. They are mostly small in stature, because they are children, but their determination and heart is nothing short of Big League to say the least. The Miracle League (http://www.miracleleague.com/) "is a youth baseball league where special needs children have the opportunity to excel and play baseball". My good friend, Chuck, who I wrote about earlier, introduced me to it shortly after I arrived here before camp and every Saturday that my schedule has been open since, we have been at the Miracle League field helping out. By helping out, I mean that I am usually the honorary pitcher and I have yet to record an out, these kids seem to have my number. When they aren't hitting triples down the line or executing perfect base hit bunts, they have a knack for lighting me up with come backers off my back or butt, luckily the baseballs are squishy so I don't get too banged up.
The league is ran by a few generous volunteers and parents and the games are played on a special field made of rubber tiles to make it safe for all the players. It's simple to get involved, all it takes to volunteer is your time, Chuck and I just showed up, walked right on the field and started helping out. Some of the Tampa Bay Rays can be found there from time to time and also have made monetary donations as well. There were two teams this year, the Yankees and the Rays and each team was probably made up of about 9-14 boys and girls ranging in age from about 4-16. The games are typically very high scoring, maybe because I'm the all-time pitcher when I'm there, but more likely because every player gets to hit each half inning. Each game lasts for about an hour and a half or so. Unfortunately, last Saturday was the last game of the season for the children because the Florida summer is coming, and that means extreme heat and humidity which are not necessarily ideal conditions for these kids to be playing in.
The moniker, Miracle League, couldn't be more appropriate, in my time playing ball with these kids, I have seen at least 2 big time miracles. Allison, pictured above in the middle, was apparently in a wheelchair last season, I was completely shocked, because this season, the wheelchair is nowhere to be found and she was running all over the place and hitting my pitches right back at me.
I've become a huge fan of these kids and their boundless enthusiasm for the game of baseball and the pure joy that they play the game with, its changed the way that I play baseball (My buddy Zach and Me, Zach has made it out to a few of my games and made me this awesome poster this weekend. I was so pumped about it I made sure all my coaches and teammates saw it up in stands throughout the game.).
As I stated above, I want to encourage everyone to seek out a Miracle League or Challenger League near you and help out. Go check it out and see what I''m talking about, and like me, you'll probably be the one doing all the learning.
Miracle League
Challenger Division
What a nice thing you are doing, when Buck and I were younger we worked with a challenger league too. It is a great program.
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all surprised to learn Brian has volunteered to help with this worthwhile endeavor. I am somewhat surprised to learn he has been doing it for some time. He never even told me, his dad, about it. In case you didn't know, Brian is sort a humble.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like an excellent program to help out with and I know Brian will be doing his best and with the best intentions to make the kids feel great. I'm proud of you big guy! Spreading the word about worthwhile programs helps them to succeed.
Pops
My hats off to Matt (Chuck) McColgan for being involved with The Miracle League too. He's that kind of a guy too. No wonder Matt and Brian get along so well together. It is so refreshing to see these kinds of efforts being made by you guys.
ReplyDeleteMark
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBrian,
ReplyDeleteI help run a challenger league in Delaware County Pa right outside of Philly. When you make it up to the big club or even to Reading we would love to have you out!
Chris
big time, brotha.
ReplyDeleteChris - I would love to make it out and help out whenever I get the chance to move up there. That would be awesome. Keep up the good work man.
ReplyDeleteBrian,
ReplyDeleteI would love to read a post or some comments about what it is like when the Big leaguers rehab in Clearwater. I know Utley, Ruiz and Oswalt will all be down in the next couple days. Besides the great food what is it like for you guys.
Chris
hey brian,
ReplyDeleteglad to see you are having a very good season. :) best of luck