Where athletes with physical and mental disabilities gather to play America’s favorite pastime, on their own terms
By Patricia Nugent
What began as a scribble on a Post-it note as a suggestion to Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley is today the Miracle League, a magical place on the corner of Vine Street and state Route 91, where athletes with physical and mental disabilities gather to play America’s favorite pastime, on their own terms.
“We like to say we rival Disney for bragging rights as the happiest place on earth,” says Judy Moran, president of The Miracle League of Lake County. “Those with special needs no longer have to watch games from the stands.”
A Little Backstory
The idea of the field was first suggested by someone who had seen a segment on the news about a special baseball league for the disabled.
Mayor Morley, Judy, who was a county commissioner at the time, and a growing group of citizens took the idea and ran with it. At a Lake County Captains game in 2016, the initiative was officially announced, with the planned site of the ball field adjacent to Classic Park.
Nobody Said No
Judy says they appealed to many businesses, organizations and individuals in the community to raise the $1.3 million needed to build the field.
“Once we laid out the plan, nobody said no,” says Judy. “Everyone wanted to take part in it, from our presenting sponsors LakeHealth and Lubrizol, down to the team of young engineers who designed it pro bono, and the countless individuals who bought bricks and held fundraisers. We’re also blessed with a nice group of volunteers who act as buddies for the athletes during games.”
The first opening day was in July of 2018.
What began with four teams is now up to 14 teams vying for glory on the diamond. The field is made from custom-designed rubberized turf that accommodates wheelchairs.
“Our league is open to any special-needs individuals over the age of 5 in Northeast Ohio,” says Judy. “During games, vendors from the area donate food and refreshments. No one pays.”
The summer season is in June and July, and the fall season runs through August and September.
A Playground of Their Own
Outside of game time, kids of all abilities can play on the fully adaptive Lubrizol Miracle League playground, which includes a nice variety of equipment, and even musical play instruments. The ground is a special Pebbleflex material to protect from falls and provide full accessibility to wheelchairs and walkers.
“It’s amazing to see how the players’ eyes light up with happiness when they get to the field,” says Judy. “Parents tell me they hang the jersey in the family room a few weeks before opening day in anticipation. They say their kids went from having to sit in the stands and watch their siblings play, to being the ones on the field people are cheering for. Athletes and fans come from all over Northeast Ohio.”
Judy points out the league’s commissioners of baseball, Mike Piper and Becky Boslett, do an excellent job of managing operations.
“After picture day, each athlete gets his or her own baseball card made up, as well as swag like duffel bags and mom pins,” she says. “In addition to the weekly summer games, there’s a Halloween Party and a Superhero Day when police and firefighters from surrounding cities come to play.”
The Miracle League of Lake County is located at the corner of Vine Street and State Route 91 in Eastlake. Registration is now open for the summer and fall leagues. Sponsorships are available and donations and volunteers are always welcome. Go to MiracleLeagueOfLakeCounty.org for more information.