|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Miracle League allows escape from disabilities
By BOB McCLURE
Article published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 |
 |
![[Image]](/content_images/030408_pco-01.jpg) |
| Photo by BOB McCLURE |
| Lisa Gilcreast of St. Petersburg helps her 7-year-old daughter Kara at home plate during Miracle League opening day festivities. |
|
PINELLAS COUNTY – They came from miles around the Tampa Bay area.
Children with handicaps of varying degrees banded together Feb. 16 at Violets Field for a chance to play baseball with their peers.
It was the kickoff to the 2008 spring season of the local Miracle League, a heart-felt program sponsored by the Kiwanis of Gulf Beaches.
More than 30 children and their parents were on hand at the special 2-inch thick rubberized baseball field next to Azalea Little League, 2900 75th St. N., and the first pitch was thrown out by Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Trevor Miller.
Miller, who has a 4-year-old daughter with a disability, said he and his wife became involved with Miracle League three years ago after executive director George Stone invited them to groundbreaking ceremonies.
“We came and saw what it’s all about and fell in love with this,” said Miller. “It took on added meaning for us since we have a handicapped daughter ourselves.”
Since then, Miller and former Rays catcher Toby Hall have organized an annual golf tournament at Feather Sound Country Club to raise money for additional Miracle League facilities in the Tampa Bay area. Thanks primarily to their efforts, new fields are planned for the Clearwater-Dunedin area and another in Tampa.
“These kids are the greatest kids in the world,” said Stone. “We had one that was blind that played last year. They don’t know they’re handicapped.”
Stone said between 20 and 40 handicapped children ages 4 to 16 participate in the league each Saturday morning.
Players hit off a tee or can be pitched to. Generally four teams with eight to 12 players each are in action each week. Games last one to two innings.
Each player bats once per inning, all base runners are safe, every player scores a run before the inning is over and the last one to the plate gets a home run. Community volunteers serve as “buddies” to assist players, each team wins every game. Children dress in Major League-style uniforms, make plays in the field and round the bases with assistance.
The field features 125-foot baselines, 60-foot base paths and a mound that is 40 feet from home plate.
Among those providing assistance on a regular basis are coeds from Eckerd College that are members of the campus CKI Club.
“Most people, when they see these kids play, they want to help and become volunteers,” Stone said.
The Rays have become major sponsors of the program and other players have become involved. Among them are relief pitcher Dan Wheeler, who lives in Belleair, and former Rays infielder Jorge Cantu.
“It’s not something they have to do,” said Stone. “It’s something they want to do.”
Annual cost of the program is about $25,000, which is funded by donations and the sale of outfield fence signs. The league hopes to pave the parking lot next and bring an electric line in for the public address system.
The facility was built for about $262,000. It was made possible through a $100,000 grant from Pinellas County and a $150,000 donation by the Rays. The Kiwanis club footed the bill for the remaining amount.
Kiwanis sponsors 180 Miracle League operations across the country, serving more than 25,000 children with handicaps. Of that number, 80 have completed fields and another 100 are under construction.
For further information on the Miracle League, call 278-7846.
|
Article published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
