Miracle League of Garland County impacts both athletes, volunteers
Whether an athlete or a volunteer, the Miracle League of Garland County provides opportunities for all to have fun and come together in a meaningful way.
The Miracle League of Garland County allows special needs players of all ages, no matter if they’re 4 years old to an older adult, to play baseball. Board members Courtney Eubanks and Darin Beckwith said the oldest athlete in the Miracle League of Garland County is around 80 years old.
“We will accommodate the students and their needs, the adults and their needs, whatever that may be,” Eubanks said. “If they need to hit off of a tee, if they need the pitcher to move a little closer, whatever they need to be able to play baseball, we’re going to do it.”
While the baseball games are great for the athletes themselves, the games are also great for volunteers who come and help the athletes. Those volunteers are called buddies.
“One thing that’s key for our program, we have amazing buddies in our community,” Eubanks said. “We have people that love to come and help our players to be able to participate in baseball. National Park College has been a huge contributor. Young Men of Distinction, Sisters in Service. Our local schools, their baseball programs have all volunteered as well. So that’s a blessing.”
Eubanks said when the Miracle League starts back up every season, it is like a family reunion. The buddies who volunteer learn skills that will last throughout their lives.
“When we talk to them, they want to come back,” Eubanks said. “They’re like, ‘Hey, even if my team’s not here, can I still come and volunteer?’ Some of our buddies started pretty young and they’ve stayed with us. … We’re building special ed teachers, occupational therapists. Even if they’re going to be an attorney or physician, we’re building a group and a community that they’re going to know how to work with people with special needs. It’s awesome.”
The Miracle League has grown so much that the league even implemented different levels of play.
“We have two what we would (call) two normal type teams,” Beckwith said. “Then we have what we call a competitive team. What that is, that’s some of the adult-aged folks through First Step. I mean it’s funny to watch those guys because they’re hitting home runs, doing bat flips, pounding their chests.”
The Miracle League of Garland County is continuing to grow, and the organization has plans to improve its bathroom facilities while also adding more tournaments and games, especially for the competitive teams. The Miracle League hosts its games at the Lake Hamilton Optimist Club complex at 311 Wolf Street.
The league accepts donations, and those interested in becoming a buddy or volunteering can reach out to Eubanks or Beckwith. The Miracle League of Garland County is also very active on Facebook.
During games, volunteers and athletes break out into dance parties, and the special needs players of all ages get an athletic outlet. The impact on both players and buddies can be seen during every game.
“A lot of times you hear a lot about students with special needs in school age programs, but when they become adults, it’s like a lot of services, we don’t see that as much,” Eubanks said. “This is fun. It’s an extracurricular for adults.”
The league recently wrapped up its fall season and will return to action in the spring.
“Once you leave, I feel like you always leave with a full heart and smile on your face,” Beckwith said. “You can’t help but do that. The kids that we’ve got to know out there, they expect you to be there. There’s always what we call ‘Miracle League moments.’ The mascot is called Homer. They’ll run to second base then next thing you know they’re taking out across the infield to give Homer a hug. It’s those kinds of things.”