Springfield’s Miracle League got a financial boost Tuesday thanks to a group of baseball teams in the city for a championship tournament.
Premier Baseball and its member families raised $1,450 for the Miracle League program in Springfield, operated by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board at the Bobby and Betty Allison Miracle League Ball Field. Miracle League Field was built especially to help players with physical or developmental disabilities to hit, run, catch and play ball.
This the second year Premier Baseball has assisted the Miracle League program in Springfield. In 2012, $1,037 was provided by Premier Baseball and the organization contributed 100 flex tickets to a 2013 Springfield Cardinals baseball game.
The donations make a difference for the Miracle League, said Cyrus Taylor, community recreation supervisor for the Park Board and coordinator of the Miracle Field.
“In 2012, the donations from Premier Baseball and its member families allowed 50 players to participate in The Miracle League in Springfield,” Taylor said. “These players would not have been able to play without their generosity.”
Springfield’s Miracle League field is a 1/3-size field featuring a barrier-free cushioned synthetic surface that is easy to maneuver with wheelchairs and walkers and by players with gait issues. Bases are built into the field, dugouts are wider and the entire facility is ramp-accessible. Each Player is paired with a volunteer “buddy” who may assist in hitting, running bases and catching.
The field was completed in October 2011 at Dan Kinney Park.
Dan Patty, executive director of Premier Baseball Tournaments, said the people who helped raise the money were happy to do it.
“Miracle Leagues are one of the great causes for youth,” Patty said. “Premier Baseball is proud to help the Miracle League and is honored that they allow us to be a small part of what they do.”
Teams from across the United States and Canada are competing in the Ozarks at the Premier Baseball Senior Championship July 9-14. The Miracle League donation was made Tuesday night at the championship’s opening ceremonies.
Tournament passes are $25 each or a single, daily admission for all venues can be purchased for $6. Discounts are offered for senior citizens and students.
Facilities in the Premier Baseball Senior Championship are: Marshfield High School, Evangel University, Meador Park, Southwest Baptist University, Springfield Catholic High School, Clever High School and Willard High School.
Premier Baseball is an alliance of 25 amateur baseball organizations across the United States and Canada. Players typically range from 15-18 years of age.
For more information about the Miracle League, visit www.parkboard.org/miracle_field.
For more information about Premier Baseball or the tournament, visit www.premierbaseball.net.
To learn more about other tournaments and events brought to Springfield by the Springfield Sports Commission and Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 417-881-5300 or 800-678-8767 or visit www.springfieldmosports.org and www.springfieldmo.org. The Springfield Sports Commission is a nonprofit organization that enhances quality of life and stimulates positive economic growth for our community by promoting and developing the Springfield area as a sports venue. The Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the local economy through growth in tourism.