HISTORY OF THE MIRACLE LEAGUE
The Miracle League Organization began in 1998, in Georgia, when Rockdale Youth Baseball Association’s coach, Eddie Bagwell, invited the first child with a disability to play baseball on his team. The following year, the Miracle League began with 35 players who had disabilities. The first season was played on a dirt field. In December, of 1999, the league broke ground on the custom-designed Miracle League field, which was the first of its kind. Today there are over 350 Miracle League Organizations across the country reaching over 250,000 children and young adults with disabilities.
The Miracle League of Joliet was formed in 2008. It is a non-profit baseball league for children and young adults (ages 4-19) with disabilities. The rules emphasize participation with every player getting a turn to bat each inning. A volunteer “Buddy” assists each player both at bat and on the field. Games are played on a custom-designed field, featuring a rubberized turf, free from obstacles to ensure players can round the bases and play baseball safely.
“Every Child Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball.”