Miracle League provides more than just a game
Miracle League provides more than just a game
Complex gives chance for kids with developmental disabilities
and special needs to play some baseball while making new friends
Dayton Daily News
By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer
Sunday, September 20, 2009
SPRINGBORO With encouragement from her buddy and cheering fans, Allison Snead ran from second base to third base at the baseball diamond in front of Springboro Junior High School on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Arriving safely, she turned to the dugout, where her mom, Barbara, was watching. Their eyes met, their faces beamed.
Its great for her to be able to participate in a sport, Mrs. Snead said about 11-year-old Allison, who has cerebral palsy. You can see from the smile on her face shes having a great time. Allison loves people. She loves attention. She knows no stranger. She will talk to anybody.
Opening Day at the Miracle League Park Complex of Warren County and Greater Dayton was no ordinary hit. With hundreds of fans in attendance along with Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aaron Harang and former Reds players Sean Casey, George Foster and Tom Browning, the high noon affair was a grand slam.
Kids with developmental disabilities and special needs now have a safe place to play baseball a rubberized field that serves as the centerpiece of a $1 million complex built with government funding and private donations.
The game of baseball is Americas pastime and its just great that it can be enjoyed by everybody, Casey said. If youre here, you really appreciate what its all about. Its for these kids. Its just an awesome thing.
Stephanie Davis, program director of The Miracle League Association based in Conyers, Ga., said there are 230 Miracle League members across the country, Canada and Puerto Rico. This marks the 130th field with a rubberized surface. The others are either in the fundraising stage or under construction.
Its just such a great program, Harang said. You get to see these kids having fun big smiles on their faces. Its great to see the parents get to sit back and watch the game. Normally, theyre the ones helping out. Its a nice time for them to come out and watch their kids play a great game.
The Miracle complex was the brainchild of Brian and Cathleen Crotty in 2007. Their son, Willy T. Crotty, has spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that limits the use of his legs and arms. Willy T served as the inspiration to get the complex built.
It means a lot, Brian Crotty said after the blue-ribbon-cutting ceremony at home plate. Its about inclusion. People who, through no fault of their own, are born with a disability are doing things they couldnt otherwise do playing ball.
Wearing a Sean Casey Reds jersey, Willy T, a 14-year-old lefty, threw out the first pitch a strike.
It was awesome, he said. I didnt really aim. I just concentrated on power. They said I was their inspiration, and they wanted people like me to play baseball. Its great to be here and have everybody cheering for you.
(Reds announcer) Marty Brennaman was telling me its not about how you play, It matters who you are as a person, how good a friend you can be and how nice you can be, rather than your stats and your athletic ability.
Miracle League chairwoman Linda Oda explained the baseball rules: No score is kept. No outs are recorded. Every batter, accompanied by a buddy, hits a single and everyone scores, with the final batter clearing the bases.
These kids are making friends, and thats hard to do when you have special needs, Oda said. When they go to school, theyll have friends now because of this league. Its more than just a baseball game.
Opening Day Miracle
Information:
Name: Miracle League Park Complex of Warren County and Greater Dayton.
Location: Springboro Junior High School, 1605 S. Main St,, Springboro.
First pitch: Willy T. Crotty, 14. the inspiration behind the construction of the rubberized diamond for baseball players with developmental disabilities.
In attendance: Reds pitcher Aaron Harang; former Reds players Sean Casey, Tom Browning and George Foster; Reds TV commentator George Grande; and Reds mascot Gapper.
Singers: The Voices of Warren County choral group sang Take Me Out to the Ball Game and God Bless the USA.
The complex: Phase I (Willy T. Crotty Field) is complete; Phase II (concession stand, rest room and pavilion) and Phase III (playground) are under construction.
The league: Stephanie Davis, program director of The Miracle League Association based in Conyers, Ga., said the park is one of 230 Miracle diamonds across the country, Canada and Puerto Rico. Its the 130th with a rubberized surface. The others are either planned or under construction.
Quote: Its a miracle to have a facility where most of the handicapped kids can go out and play. Thats enjoyment for them. Playing sports overall is an enjoyment. Now they get a chance to participate. ex-Red George Foster
On the Web: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miracle-League-of-Greater-Dayton/73299106478