Miracle League Opens First Full Season

Play Ball.

The Miracle League of Northampton County returns to action Saturday when it begins its first full season of play at Easton Rotary Field in Palmer Township.

The 2013 spring season begins following a brief opening ceremony on the field at the Charles Chrin Community Center with the first pitch for the first game thrown at 10 a.m., said Supervisor Bob Lammi, who serves as vice president on the Miracle League board.

He said from Saturday to June 22, excluding Memorial Day weekend, there will be six games. The league will shut down before resuming play for the fall season starting in September.

"In 2012, we were able to field six teams," Lammi said. "For this season, we have had more children [about 180 players] register so we will be fielding 12 teams." 

Lammi said the Fall 2012 season was "outstanding."

"We had the Grand Opening followed by eight weeks of games with six teams," he said. "Seeing the joy in the faces of these children while playing baseball was priceless. The Buddies or Angels who worked with these children were outstanding and provided the help and friendship that made their day at the park special. Our coaches and volunteers worked to make everything about the experience seamless."

"We are extremely happy and proud to have the field located in Palmer," Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver said. "The Board of Supervisors welcomed the project with open arms and has been very supportive all along."

Colver said the township leased the 1.5-acre complex to the Miracle League for $1 a year and is donating $3,000 a year from the recreation fund to assist in ongoing costs.

"The legacy this facility will have is providing a special place where children with intellectual and physical disabilities can come to play the game of baseball in a safe and barrier-free environment," Lammi said.

"It provides joy to the parents and families of the children to see them participate in a sporting activity," Lammi said. "It also provides the volunteers with a very warm feeling in their heart as they work and play with these children or they are there to just help out. Everyone who comes to one of these games is touched by their experience."

To run an operation like this, volunteers are always needed, and anyone interested in being part of the experience can go to the Miracle League website to sign up or they can call Dan McKinney at (610) 252-1505 for more information, Lammi said.

For more information, visit www.miracleleagueofnc.org or check out the league on Facebook.