“Every child deserves a chance to play baseball” is the tagline of the national nonprofit Miracle League, an organization that gives more than 200,000 children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to safely play America’s favorite pastime while developing social skills, physical activity and self-confidence. There are currently 275 Miracle League organizations across the country, including one here in Milwaukee.
Five years ago, a group of local business leaders and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee partnered to create the Miracle League of Milwaukee and in 2011, a Miracle League Complex was opened at the Northwest YMCA (9050 N. Swan Road) that includes a rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices alongside a handicap-accessible playground. This season, about 100 players between the ages of 4 and 19 from throughout the Greater Milwaukee area are registered to play ball. Each player is paired with a volunteer called a Buddy who provides one-on-one support throughout the summer. All baseball equipment is supplied and each child receives a MLB logoed jersey and hat. Players get to choose a walk-up song and are announced onto the field by special-needs teen and adult announcers. The noncompetitive games are two innings long and each player bats, runs and plays the field every inning.
Making this possible is about 150 volunteers who help create an experience that is unique, memorable and, most often, life changing for every child involved. Miracle League of Milwaukee’s Program Manager James Lundstrom said almost all of the program is volunteer driven. “Volunteers make a huge difference for both the players and the program overall,” Lundstrom says. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
The nonprofit is seeking Buddy volunteers as well as people interested in working the concession stand, being a team coach and announcing. Monetary and baseball equipment donations are always appreciated. Games, played on Tuesdays and Thursdays, begin June 16 and run through mid-August. Siblings without disabilities are welcome to play too. For more information or to register your child, contact Lundstrom at 414-357-2833 or jlundstrom@ymcamke.org, or visit miracleleaguemilwaukee.org.
