The sun may have been hiding behind the clouds in Hamilton on Sept. 12, but the energy on the barrier-free field was brighter than ever.
In honor of its 10-year anniversary, the Miracle League of Mercer County kicked off the season with a celebratory event that filled the air with laughter, balloons and the smell of barbecue. The Miracle League is an organization that allows children who suffer from disabilities to play baseball. Dan Sczweck, the executive director of the Miracle League, warmed up the field by welcoming players, volunteers and visitors of the community to share in the experience of beginning another successful year.
Arriving at the facility at the Hamilton Area YMCA’s Sawmill branch, the first thing visible was the vibrant colors of the balloons surrounding the green, barrier-free field. All players approached the check-in table, which was set up with decorative gift bags for the each of them. The welcoming committee consisted of volunteers Rebecca Rockhill, of Florence, and Hamilton residents Keriann Rockhill, Lindsey Perry and Scott Soleimani.
The Miracle League wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the dedication of its volunteers, also known as “Angels in the Outfield.” The volunteers do everything from setting up to traveling from base to base with the players. This year is Soleimani’s second year with the Miracle League.
“I’m always meeting nice people,” he said.
Then, as if cued by Soleimani’s comment, a young player ran up to greet him with animated enthusiasm. Not at all thrown off by the interruption, Soleimani’s smile grew as the player’s did. After the greeting, Soleimani opened up about how the Miracle League has changed him since he’s started.
“It gave me a different point of view for different families,” he said. “It really changes your life, seeing the families and how much love they have.”
At 11 a.m. the games began when 16-year-old Charlie Black left his wheelchair behind to start off the 10th season by throwing the first pitch with Kathy Rhead, the founding executive director of the league. As both of their balls bounced onto the ground near home plate and into the catchers’ mitts, Black, Rhead and every onlooker in the stands erupted with excitement for the start of another year.
Black’s whole family was at the game to support him as he took the big step out of his wheelchair and onto the pitcher’s mound. Black’s father, Bob, said the Miracle League has made his son more confident.
“His first year, he was in a Kaye walker, and his second year he only used it—the Kaye Walker—going around the bases,” Bob Black said.
That kind of attitude takes over during Miracle League games. Such was the case with Logan Robinson, 12, of Robbinsville, whose smile couldn’t be dulled once he approached the field. Robinson has been playing in the Miracle League of Mercer County for nine out of its 10 years.
After Robinson hit the ball and stepped his way from base to base in his Kaye walker, his grin extended as high as his eyes and didn’t waver for a second. Hamilton resident Michelle DeLenawas right there with him, as she has been since Robinson started.
“Logan was about 3 and a half when I met him,” she said, before turning to Robinson. “You’re stuck with me.”
Robinson’s parents, Kristin and Glenn, said their son loves sports. He plays SKOR fall and spring baseball, SKOR basketball and runs track. But Kristin said its the Miracle League that has helped him grow in the last nine years.
“Well, it’s self-esteem. You know, everyone cheering for him,” she said. “He likes the crowd getting behind him. I think also the teamwork; it’s great for him to be part of a team.”
Teamwork is essential to baseball, and the Miracle League was founded on the principle that miracles can happen when people and organizations team up. The Rotary of Robbinsville/Hamilton played a large part in the birth of the Miracle League. The land for the field was donated by the YMCA, and $250,000 was raised to build a special field specifically for the league.
“The Miracle League has a barrier-free field, and it allows children of all different forms of challenges to play on the field,” Rotary member Al Pellegrino said. “You know, as you can see, we have wheelchairs out here, we have walkers. It’s just a safe place.”
Rotary of Robbinsville/Hamilton was presented with the idea of the Miracle League in 2003, based on a league that had started in Georgia. Pellegrino remembered when he first heard about the idea of the league, through a video clip that showed a girl with brittle bone disease playing the game she loved: baseball.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience,” he said.
When the Miracle League of Mercer County started in 2005, it was the first chapter in the Northeast. It’s expanded nationwide since.
“We never realized how large this was going to become,” Pellegrino said. “We started back in 2005, and now we have over 70 participants in the program.”
Standing with Pellegrino on the sidelines was Hamilton YMCA CEO David Kisselback. He has been the CEO of the YMCA for three months, and said programs like the Miracle League are what drew him to the job.
“Actually when I was interviewing, this is one of the things that really attracted me: how much the Y does with special needs,” Kisselback said, “Not only the Miracle League but our SKOR program. The community support is overwhelming. It goes to show what great work happens when organizations partner together.”
Pellegrino nodded.
“Absolutely.”
Rebecca Rockhill, Keriann Rockhill, Scott Soleimani and Lindsey Perry welcome players to Opening Day for the Miracle League Sept. 12, 2015. (Photo by Giuliana Grossi.),
