Rally Monkey Mom

OC Miracle League Registration Drive

Over the past year I have had the distinct pleasure of watching some very special kids play the game of baseball. These kids are part of the Orange County Chapter of an organization called The Miracle League. The Miracle League is a baseball league for children of all ages with disabilities, and is, without a doubt, one of the most inspiring groups I have ever come across.

Their mission statement is simple: “Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball”.

During a game, all players have the chance to hit, get on base, and cross home plate to score. Any players that need assistance are paired up with a “buddy” to help them learn and play the game. Volunteers from local high school baseball and softball teams often serve as “buddies” for the players.

And this group is not just local. There are currently 240 Miracle League Organizations in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Australia, serving over 200,000 children. That is inspiring.

The President and League Director, Steel Morris, has always had a passion for helping the special needs community. His mother, Bonnie Morris, was a teacher of special needs children and young adults in Orange County and both Steel and his mother worked with Special Olympics for many years. After learning of The Miracle League organization, he channeled his desire to assist this community of individuals into forming a chapter in Orange County. In 2002, the Orange County chapter of The Miracle League was incorporated.

Since their formation, the OC Miracle League teams have played their games on a regular baseball field with grass, dirt, and standard bases. What that really meant was that they played on a field that was more of a barrier than anything else.

But last summer, they received a new field as a part of the All-Star Community Complex at Pioneer Park in Anaheim. This complex was built by Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Angels Baseball Foundation, and the City of Anaheim as a part of the 2010 All-Star Game.

Their new field has a cushioned rubberized surface that is completely flat. Distinctions between the infield, outfield, and bases are done with color changes. This allows all the league participants to be able to play with reduced risk of injury. No longer will the kids need to stop and start their wheelchairs and walkers to navigate the dirt, grass, and uneven surfaces of their old ball field. They now have an appropriate field, the first of its kind in Orange County, which allows these kids to play the game the way it should be played.

The OC Miracle League is getting ready to kick off their 2011 season by holding a registration drive this Sunday, April 10th from 12:30—3:00pm at their All-Star Community Complex field at Pioneer Park in Anaheim. If you have a child or know someone who would love to join this league and play baseball, or if you would like to sign-up to volunteer as a “buddy”, this is the time to do it. The games start the following Sunday, April 17th at 12:30.

And because the League works entirely off donations, there is no cost to sign up to play. Morris and his volunteer team understand that many of the players’ families deal with significant healthcare costs, so they work hard to keep this a fee free league.

There’s no mistaking the smiles on these kids’ faces when they round the bases to the cheers of the crowd. Their love for the baseball is pure and reminds me of all that is great about the game. Below is a video I made last year for the Angels Blog at The Orange County Register from my first visit with the OC Miracle League, back when they were still playing on the old ball field.

Orange County Miracle League Registration Drive
Sunday, April 10th 12:30—3:00pm
ALL-STAR Complex Pioneer Park
2565 E. Underhill, Anaheim, CA 92806

For more information about the Orange County Miracle League, or to donate, visit ocmiracleleague.com.