Why I Always Post About The Miracle League of Plymouth

If you’re reading this, you probably already know what The Miracle League is, but here’s a refresher to be safe. The Miracle League is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to providing organized baseball to individuals with mental and physical limitations. From its official website: “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 assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries.”

Why Is It Important to Me?

Simple, I love baseball and I have a deep love and appreciation for individuals with special needs. It’s no secret that my cousin Elizabeth is one of my best friends. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding in 2021 and we text each other nearly every day. The way she sees the world is special and loving and it helps to calm my anxious mind.

I got involved with The Miracle League of Plymouth in 2010 before we even had a field. It was my junior year at Salem High School and my friend, Chris Kordick, recruited me to help him organize a fundraiser. We met in a class called American Culture and Baseball so he was well aware of my appreciation for baseball and he knew I loved volunteering and helping others. The Miracle League is the most perfect combination of the two.

We ended up organizing the Dale A. Rumberger Home Run Derby, which included players from Plymouth, Canton and Salem high schools. The following year it included players from schools outside of Plymouth-Canton as well. One year we hosted a softball game. Our big fundraisers petered out since we both attended college out-of-state but my love for The Miracle League persisted. I would stop by the field any time I was home from Pittsburgh to try and see my friends and my first buddy, Carlos. I am very happy to say that Carlos is still one of our players today!

I love that now in 2023, some 13 years after I first became involved, I am working as the Event Manager for my beloved MLP! You can find me at Bilkie Family Field on game days making sure everything runs smoothly. I also might reply to your emails or make a post on social media. I play a small part in a great organization and I am so grateful. I’m also grateful for the support of Sahil, my dad and other family members who volunteer when they can and give their time to making the league a success!

As I think about one day having kids of my own, the importance of the Miracle League gets clearer every day. We offer players and families a place to come to have fun and not be judged. We often take for granted that our kids with be “typical” and will play high school sports or be a cheerleader, but for many that isn’t viable. The Miracle League of Plymouth provides a chance to play on a team and to be cheered on by the best fans. It is really special and incredibly important.

How Can You Help?

Since the Miracle League of Plymouth is a 501(c)s nonprofit, donations and volunteers are vital to our success. We provide recreation to nearly 200 players from metro Detroit! Our fall baseball season begins on September 9th and runs every Saturday and Sunday through October 22nd. We need volunteers to help in the concession stand, to announce games, to serve as umpires and most importantly, to be Buddies!

Buddie are able-bodied volunteers who get partnered with our athletes to help them with batting, fielding and navigating the bases. At the Miracle League of Plymouth, we don’t count balls and strikes. No one is ever out. Every player gets a hit and experiences the fun of rounding the bases and being called safe at home!

Please let me know if you want to learn more!