Story Contributed by Britney Moss
Benton, KY (April 9, 2024) Registration is now open for the spring season of 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 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 assistive 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.
Athletes ages 4 – 104 of all ability levels are encouraged to register online at https://marshallcountyparks.org/miracleleaguewky/ or by calling (270) 527-5284
The inaugural season in Fall of 2023 had an amazing turnout with 44 athletes from 8 western Kentucky counties participating in the league. Residents of neighboring counties and states are invited and encouraged to participate in this league.