The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Miracle League Nine that day…
A pall-like silence fell upon the field where beautiful children should play…
They stood in tears, holding bats and gloves, shut out from playing the game they love.
Violet’s Field, constructed by the Kiwanis Club Miracle League of the Gulf Beaches, was specifically designed so that special needs children could participate in America’s pastime. But it lay in tatters, torn up, demolished; the pitcher’s mound, base paths and even home plate all gone. The rubberized field was first installed in 2006 and since then hundreds of special boys and girls made their way around the base paths without fear they would get hurt if they fell. But due to the constant barrage of sun and heat and rain, the field started to buckle, and it became dangerous for the athletes to play. A whole season was cancelled when the company who was going to build the new field bit off more than they could chew and had to abandon the project.
The players could only look through the fence at the dirt, wondering when they could once again play the game that brought them so much joy. But all was not lost! Proving that baseball Angels are not confined to Los Angeles, some good people delivered in the bottom of the ninth.
Former Rays skipper (and current Chicago Cubs manager) Joe Maddon’s Respect 90 Foundation teamed up with the Cal Ripken, Sr.’s foundation, Sports Fields Inc. and Clearwater for Youth to rebuild the field in time to start the spring season. The new surface, installed by Sports Fields Inc., is ADA approved and is made up of ¾” shock pad and 1” synthetic turf with sand infill. The kids can now run, pitch, catch and throw to their hearts’ content.
George Stone, President of the Miracle League said, “This group saved our season. Without them, we would have missed another season. It would have been devastating. The kids look forward to this so much.”
Joe Maddon hit the ball out of the park when he said, “We are so proud to be a partner with kids who love the game and get so much joy from playing each week.”
The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation has been having quality at bats too, building 75 completed ball parks in 21 states, impacting over 280,000 kids. The Clearwater for Youth organization is batting 1.000 by showing support for sports programs that encourage children of all levels of society to play and learn together.
If you have a disabled child, feel free to get them involved in the Miracle Baseball League. The field is located at 2950 75th Street North in St Petersburg, part of the Azalea Little League Complex. The new field is wheelchair and walker friendly and League volunteers are on hand to help. If your child has any disability, they will be allowed to swing for the fences and circle the bases. They will become genuine baseball players. For more information go to www.kiwanisgulfbeaches.com.
