P.L.A.Y. Hosts Grand Opening for Prior Lake Miracle League Field
Following a 3-year campaign of private and public funding, the Prior Lake Miracle League Field went from dream to reality on Saturday afternoon. The new adaptive baseball field is located at Thomas Ryan Memorial Park on the south side of Prior Lake. Saturday’s grand opening event welcomed in athletes and families from all over the South Metro.
Volunteer with Prior Lake Miracle League
The Prior Lake Miracle League is looking for your support! Beginning this fall, games will take place on Saturdays. As the program continues to expand, they may look at adding weekday games as well.
Volunteers can partake in game help, the buddy program, driving the courtesy golf cart, or assisting with concessions. If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved, check out the sign-up genius form available on PLAY Miracle League’s website!
What is Miracle League?
Excerpt from PLAY Miracle League:
“There is something about playing the game that lights up a youngster’s eyes. But for children facing serious physical and mental disabilities, that opportunity can often be difficult to achieve. Baseball diamonds weren’t exactly designed with wheelchairs and crutches in mind.
The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Since the main barriers for these children arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional youth leagues, Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries.
But it’s more than playing a game. The Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other kids. To help the athletes, the Miracle League uses a “buddy” system – pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. The result is a bond that cannot be described. The Miracle League serves children who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities, which causes them to be excluded, whether intentionally or not, from conventional youth Baseball leagues and other recreational activities. According to the 2020 Census Bureau, there are 26 million Children in our country who have disabilities.”
Donate to the Miracle League
The field is built, but the work is not done. Consider donating to the Prior Lake Miracle League to support life-changing experiences for these children and adults! The program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit led by volunteers. It is solely dependent on private support for ongoing operational expenses.
Reach out to [email protected] for additional details.
Jeff Belzer’s Commitment to Community
The Prior Lake Miracle League is one of our many avenues of giving back to our local communities. To learn more about our efforts, visit our community landing page, or follow along on social media @JeffBelzers