Three Toledo Mud Hens players joined in the fun Sunday, June 12, participating in the annual Miracle League of Northwest Ohio All-Star game. The game closed out the league’s spring season.

Pitchers Robbie Weinhardt and Thad Weber and outfielder Deik Scram attended the event at Brentwood Park in Northwood to sign autographs, play a little baseball and bring a lot of smiles.

For 5-year-old Alivianna Gallup, it was a chance to play baseball with her favorite Mud Hens players. The young Northwood resident, who will be attending kindergarten in the fall, has spinal muscular atrophy. To get around, young Gallup uses a motorized wheelchair and she put it to use zipping around the bases for a home run during the game. Weinhart, Weber, and Scram were waiting at home plate to slap “high fives” and congratulate her.

Action at the Miracle League Field in Northwood. The games are played on a specially cushioned and rubberized surface that is similar to local high school running tracks. (Press photos by Scott Grau)

According to her parents, Mike and Beverly Gallup, playing baseball in the Miracle League has been very beneficial for Alivianna. They said that last year their daughter was shy and tentative about participating, but that has all changed this year as she looked forward all week long to playing in the games.

“Her interaction with other kids has really brought her out of her shell,” said her mother.

According to Jeff Barton, who is the president of the organization, this is the second year that the Mud Hens have sent players to participate in the event. He praised the Mud Hens organization for its long-standing support and involvement with the league.

“It really means a lot to our kids to get autographs and be up-close to some of the Mud Hens players,” said Barton.

Barton established The Miracle League of Northwest Ohio as a non-profit organization in 2006. The non-competitive league is comprised of six teams that includes about 60 players with disabilities from all parts of Northwest Ohio. Each game is two innings long and every player bats and scores, with the final batter of the inning hitting a home run to clear the bases.

The games are played on a specially cushioned and rubberized surface that is similar to local high school running tracks. The custom field, which was completed in the spring of 2009, was designed so that athletes in wheelchairs and walkers or any kind of special needs can play without barriers.

As more players become aware of the unique league and as new teams are formed, improvements at the Miracle League field continue as well. A new sound system was recently installed and Barton said plans for the complex include a scoreboard, bleacher seating and a building to house concessions and handicap-accessible restrooms.

Funding for maintenance and growth is generated through various fundraising charity events and donations.

Barton stated that approximately $9,500 was raised at the organization’s annual golf outing held June 10 at Chippewa Gold Course. Wal-Mart, which was a major corporate sponsor in the  development and construction of the barrier-free baseball diamond, provided all of the food and raffle prizes for the event.

“With Wal-Mart’s involvement it helps us to double the amount of money that we bring in from the golf outing every year,” said Barton.

The next event scheduled for the organization is the Miracle League Family and Friend Ride for Charity Saturday, July 23.

For more information on the Miracle League of Northwest Ohio visit www.mlnwo.org.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed