Over the summer, a couple of friends and I did an activity called Miracle League. There are a lot of different Miracle Leagues, but we all signed up for The Miracle League of Chippewa Valley. Miracle League (ML) is a place where children aged 4-19, with either a cognitive or physical disability, play baseball and their parents are able to watch them play the sport.

Goodwill runs 2 other Miracle Leagues. One of the directors, Tim Wavrunek, was able to convince them to build one in Chippewa Valley. In January of 2016, with the help of Wavrunek, Amy Standiford, and Keith, Goodwill NCW donated $100,000. In October was when the construction actually started, and many people started to sign up. In June the season began with 72 different children and about 100 volunteers.They still need a lot more volunteers, because the Miracle League is growing everyday as more people know about it.

The field is made flat and out of a soft rubber so that children in wheelchairs or walkers are able to play on the field. Even the bases are flat. There are different hitting t’s, bats, and balls. It was very highly suggested that parents or relatives don’t work with their children or relative as a “buddy” (as we call the volunteers). The main purpose for the Miracle League was for parents with children with different disabilities to be able to watch their child play. Seeing them play is such an eye opening experience and I highly recommend signing up for next year. We’re going to need a lot more people as buddies, coaches, referees, and even Homer, our mascot.