The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Miracle League season extended
League continues to grow, draw fans
Children and adults in Northeast Ohio, who never had the opportunity to indulge in one of America’s favorite past times, have now had the chance to do just that.
With the July 28 opening of the Lake Health Miracle Park, located adjacent to Classic Park in Eastlake, children and adults with developmental disabilities discovered the joy in hearing “batter up” knowing it was them being called up to home plate to swing that bat.
For many of the players on the six Miracle League of Lake County teams, that was their first opportunity to swing at a pitch and make their way around the bases. Each player made their way around the bases scoring runs, either on their own or utilizing a wheelchair, walker, or other assistance.
One month later, the Miracle League of Lake County is still going. New players are joining, and the season has been extended an extra four weeks and will now run until the end of September.
“Parents are happy and the kids are happy. It’s the only place you can go where everyone is smiling.” — Judy Moran, Miracle League of Lake County executive director
“It’s been going well,” Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley said.
“Parents and kids are overwhelmed. Parents are excited that their kids can play baseball.”
Judy Moran, executive director for Miracle League of Lake County, made similar observations.
“Parents are happy and the kids are happy,” Moran said. “It’s the only place you can go where everyone is smiling.”
Moran also noted that she couldn’t be any more happier about how it turned out.
“We have fans who just come and watch the games on Saturdays,” Moran said. “They don’t have anybody related to them or playing, they just come for the pure joy of watching. Its a very uplifting experience.”
Morley mentioned how he has heard many parents’ stories of children so excited after a game that they don’t want to take their uniforms off.
Moran and Morley also voiced their appreciation for the all the coaches who they feel have gone above and beyond.
According to Morley, the coaches have been very involved in the league and holding barbecues for their teams. They also have used their own money to purchase and grill hot dogs for parents and kids as well as supply potato chips and cases of water.
For Moran this has been a real lesson in camaraderie.
She pointed to head coach Mike Piper, who she says has done much to grow the league and bring attention to it.
He has brought in extra team buddies and extra players. He has also brought in Talk Back Fans Podcast, which did a live podcast from the Miracle League field during one of the games.
Planning has started for next year, according to Morley, who is looking forward to keeping it growing.
After the season ends the coaches will be meeting and appointing a commissioner for the league, he said.
“It’s growing. Word is getting out and people want to play and they want to be involved,” Moran said.
“Next year will be phenomenal. We will get an earlier start and do a spring and fall season.”
Meetings will be taking place over the winter for coaches and parents volunteers. The league is still seeking out sponsorships as well.