Updated May 4, 2009 - 1:52 pm
Field of dreams for Monroe's Miracle League
Comments (0)
Print this
E-mail this
Tweet this
digg this
KIRO Radio » Watch the video
After months of waiting and fund raising, the Miracle League in Monroe is finally getting a miracle of their own: a brand new baseball field.
About one million dollars has been raised to build Rotary Field, a handicapped accessible field with all-weather turf designed specifically for players with disabilities. It'll be the first of its kind in the region.
The Miracle League's shortstop, Chris Gardiano had been hearing about the new field for years.
"The buildup is absolutely amazing," he said. He's even more excited that he'll be up to bat first in the new facility.
"Yes, they told me I could hit the first ball in the stadium. It's an honor," he said.
The Miracle League was formed as a youth baseball league for children with special needs about seven years ago.
"The miracle league started in the southeast," said Monroe Rotary President, Mark Mason. "One of the members saw a TV story about it and we thought we should start a league here. The first year there was only a small handful of players now there are about 40 players in this area."
Tina Larson and her daughter Amber have been involved in the league since day one.
"She's made new friends, you know, since coming out here. And I think she's become more excited every year for baseball. She's excited every year to see people," said Larson.
In the Miracle League, everyone gets a hit and everyone wears a jersey with a number one.
"Families come together, they have gotten to become friends and that has meant a lot because they share a common bond. And some of these kids have pretty serious health issues and so the parents are able to talk to each other, give each other support," said Mason.
Monroe's Miracle League
- WA Lottery
- Seattle teachers approve new contract
- Peder to serve jail time before trial begins in vehicular homicide case
- Redmond police search for bank robber
- Woman says acid attack will not wreck life
- Indictment: 400 Thai workers exploited in Washington, Hawaii
- Boeing using 2 production planes for 787 testing
- No union arbitration for fired King County deputy
- Attorneys for WA death row inmate file for appeal
- Student speech: Like, you know, it's the way some people talk
