MARSHALL COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT FORMS THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF WESTERN KENTUCKY
(BENTON, KY, APRIL 30) The Marshall County Parks Department will soon be launching a new baseball league at Mike Miller Park in Draffenville. The department received confirmation Tuesday that they are now affiliated with The Miracle League as the Miracle League of Western Kentucky.
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 and adults arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional 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 athletes. 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 and adults who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities, which causes them to be excluded, whether intentionally or not, from conventional Baseball leagues.
The first Miracle League field opened in Conyers, Georgia in April 2000. Word spread and by 2002, fields opened in South Carolina, Alabama, West Virginia, Illinois, and California. There are presently 240 plus Miracle League Organizations across the country including Puerto Rico and Canada, while serving 200,000 plus children and adults.
The Miracle League field at Mike Miller Park will be the first project of the 40+ acre planned expansion. In addition to the field, restrooms and concessions that will all be ADA compliant, there will also be a large ADA compliant playground as well. Pediatric physical and occupational
therapists will be consulted on the design of the playground to ensure that every child will be able to enjoy the play area.
Marshall County Parks Department Director, Britney Heath, commented on the project saying “From the second I learned of the Miracle League, I knew it needed a home here in Mike Miller Park. We are fully committed to making this facility something the entire region can be proud of and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization. I want this to be a regional league and field. When we are up and running, I look forward to working with all of the surrounding counties to assist them in forming teams to play in this amazing league.”
“We have a large goal to meet to make this dream a reality. I know in some places it would take years to raise these kinds of funds, but I’ve seen how the communities of Western Kentucky can come together to help one another. I can’t imagine a better cause to come together to support than this one.” Heath added.
A number of fundraising activities are currently being planned to help fund the field which has an estimated cost of $1 million dollars including the facilities and playground. The Dodge for a Cause dodgeball tournament is set for Saturday, June 8th at Mike Miller Park with all proceeds benefiting the Miracle League field.
Anyone wishing to make a donation or to find out how you can be involved should contact Britney Heath at (270) 527-5284 or parks@marshallcountyky.gov