Life University Donates to Miracle League of Marietta

It is an exciting moment when a child plays baseball for the first time. But for children facing serious mental and physical disabilities, having the opportunity to play can be limited. Baseball fields weren’t designed with wheelchairs and walkers in mind. The Miracle League of Marietta aims to remove the barriers that keep children off the baseball field and allow them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime.

On March 27, 2008, Life University presented a Field Sponsorship check to Miracle League of Marietta. This spring is the first season for the league, and the first game will be held on Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m. The season is six weeks long and all games will take place at Custer Park. The first Miracle League field opened in Conyers, GA, in April 2000. By March 2006, 127 Miracle League fields were in operation across the country.

“With more than 10,000 disabled children in Cobb County, Miracle League has the opportunity to make a huge impact in the community,” said Gregg Levangie, director of Miracle League of Marietta. “There is no fee to play and each child receives a uniform just like in the Major League. We are starting out with four teams: the Red Sox, Braves, Yankees and Mets.”

To help Miracle League of Marietta open its doors, Life University donated the Field Sponsorship check. The rubberized, custom-design synthetic baseball diamond is similar to the turf used in track and field. Not only has the Miracle League designed a unique field suitable for the players, but the organization has also created new rules so that everyone is involved. The rules include each player batting once per inning, all base runners are safe, each player scores a run before the inning is over and community children and volunteers serve as “buddies” to assist the players.   

“The Miracle League is a dream come true for my family,” said Tamra Cantori who has a son and a daughter that will both participate in the league. “This will help on a social level, especially since they have ‘buddies’ with them every step of the way. It could turn into a big brother / big sister relationship.”

The Miracle League recently received the 2008 National Consortium for Academics and Sports Award. For more information about Miracle League of Marietta, visit http://miracleleague.com.