About Us
If I were to tell you about an organized youth baseball league, you might call it ordinary.
If I were to tell you the athletes are physically, developmentally and intellectually disabled, you might call it touching. If you were to see them play, you would call it a miracle!
“Every child deserves a chance to play baseball”. That’s why the Junior League of Wichita Falls, Inc. adopted its newest signature project, The Wichita Falls Area Miracle League. This league will provide opportunities for over 2000 area youth to play America’s favorite past time, regardless of their ability, or disability. This Field of Dreams is a made with a customized, cushioned synthetic turf to help prevent injuries. It also has wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair bound or visually impaired players.
It is our hope that The Wichita Falls Area Miracle League field will provide children with disabilities in Wichita Falls and the surrounding areas a chance to experience baseball just like their peers. Because “every child deserves a chance to play baseball!”
Miracle League History
In 1998, The Rockdale Youth Baseball Association formed the Miracle League to further its mission of providing opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of their ability. Disabled children in the community of Rockdale County (Metro Atlanta) had expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases just like their healthy peers. The league began with 35 players on four teams.
It was decided that:
* Every player bats once each inning.
* All base runners are safe.
* Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run).
* Community children and volunteers serve as “buddies” to assist the players.
* Each team and each player wins every game.
In the spring of 1999, the Miracle League gained support and became a source of pride for all involved as participation grew to over 80 players. The Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers stepped forward to form the Rotary Miracle League. The new organization had two objectives: (1) raise the funds necessary to build a special complex with facilities that meet the unique needs of the Miracle League players and (2) assist in the outreach efforts for the Miracle League. The Miracle League complex was completed in April 2000.
As of April 2006 there are 143 Miracle League Organizations across the country, 41 completed rubberized fields, 61 fields under construction and another 30 plus groundbreakings scheduled for 2006. The immediate goal of 500 plus Miracle League fields including several international locations will serve approximately 1.3 million children. This goal can be reached with the help of communities, volunteers, parents, donors, individual sponsors and corporate sponsors. With support, this program can be offered in every city in the country so special needs children around the globe will have the same opportunity. The Miracle League believes:
“Every Child Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball.”
Wichita Falls Area Miracle League History
2009
Miracle League Field Location
We are excited to announce the exact location for our Miracle League Field of Dreams. After an open community forum, and a unanimous decision by the Wichita Falls Independent School Board, the land upon which we will build is located in the northeast quadrant of Wichita Falls Athletic Complex, beside Hoskins Field.
Miracle League Field • Location Map (requires Adobe PDF viewer)
This is the largest section of land available to us at the athletic complex near the baseball fields. It allows access from Barnett Road, access to the existing parking lot, and room for future expansion that could include a playground for children with disabilities, or even a covered pavilion. We could not ask for a more perfect location to highlight the Miracle League and its Amazing Athletes!
Special thanks to the Miracle League Committee, sustaining advisers, and Denise Moffat for all your support and hard work over the summer to reach our first goal in building this great field. We would also like to thank Jack Murphy, The Wichita Falls City Council, The YMCA, Sandy Shawver and Chuck Craft, The Wichita Falls Little League Association, Mike Cox, The Wichita Falls ISD Board of Trustees and Dr. Dawson Orr for all of your assistance and support in making this decision. This has truly been a collaborative effort that has helped us reach a decision that we feel will positively promote not only the Miracle League itself, but also the awesome children and families the league will serve. That is, after all, what this project is all about!
Field Progress
Click on the following links to view the most current field drawings.
Field Drawing C-101 Field Drawing C-102
Jalapeno Tree
Our first fundraiser of 2009 was on January 14th at The Jalapeno Tree, where ten percent of the sale of all food went towards the Miracle League cause. There was a huge turnout - thanks to everyone for your support.
Bingo
Our most recent fundraiser was held February 28th at the VFW. The event raised over $650 for the Miracle League cause.
The Miracle League Ground Breaking Ceremony
The Junior League of Wichita Falls in collaboration with the Little League of Wichita Falls broke ground on September 19, 2008 for our anticipated Wichita Falls Area Miracle League Field.
In the 2005/2006 League Year, what started out as a vision, quickly became a mission for many. Our purpose was to provide a baseball field for children with physical, developmental and intellectual, disabilities to allow these spectacular children an opportunity to play baseball in the same environment as their peers! If it weren’t for the dedication and persistence of two women, Richelle Sons and Jennifer Hudson, I’m not sure our progress would have been so fast tracked. These ladies worked tirelessly educating the public about Miracle League and more importantly steadfast on fund-raising in order to make this field a reality so quickly, and we are so proud of them! Please stay tuned for the announcement of our upcoming fundraisers, new Miracle League shirts that can be purchased and much, much more!
FallsFest Miracle League Chili Cook-off
The 2nd Annual Miracle League Chili Cook-off was held Friday September 26th during FallsFest. Eighteen teams participated in the cook-off raising over $450 for the Miracle League cause. Cooks came from as far as the Grandbury area to help raise money for the event. The traveling trophy—a baseball bat signed by Miracle League players, will be hung in the concession stand once the field is complete. Clint Wooster’s name will be added to the plaque as the 2008 cook-off winner following behind Carol Gibbs, last years champion
2008
"Run for the Son"
Colonial Baptist Church held it's 2nd Annual "Run for the Son" 5k-run/1 mile walk on Saturday, March 31st. This year's proceeds were designated to benefit the Wichita Falls Area Miracle League. We are so excited - a profit of $6395.00 was made - WOW! Although it was a little cold that morning, it did not deter those dedicated running enthusiasts, or Miracle League supporters. We are so thankful to Colonial Baptist Church, the "Run for the Son" Committee, and all those who made this a successful event for such a great cause. We would also like to thank the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Blaine Smith, his dad Devin and his mom Kim. This family's commitment to our endeavor is truly appreciated and is evident by the support they provide. Look for more information on next years run/walk at colonialonline.org.
Miracle League Land Dedication Ceremony
The Miracle League committee was thrilled to hold it's Land Dedication Ceremony on Tuesday, April 17th. What began as a dreary, rainy day ended in a celebration of the promise of things to come for the Miracle League and it's "Field of Dreams". We were honored to have as our special guest and speaker Dr. Dawson Orr, and the Senior Pastor of Colonial Baptist Church, Tim Wheat, who provided the invocation. Of course the celebration would not have been complete without the great cookout generously donated and prepared by the Wichita County Sheriff's Posse. We would like to thank all those that attended and all of you who have supported this endeavor along the way. Of course we cannot forget the Wichita Falls Little League, their Board of Directors, and Challenger Division Director Mike Cox. Their assistance in securing the land, and their dedication to make baseball possible for any child has been a blessing to all. Thanks guys! We truly appreciate you.
Board of Directors
info@fallsmiracleleague.org
Lee Cook– Co-Chair
Allison Kirkpatrick– Co-Chair
Kristi Frerich– Treasurer
Laura Wetzel– Registration / Liaison
Jenny Miller - Special Projects / Fundraising
Tanya Gillen– Publicity
Lisa Knight - Website / Secretary
Alex Martin - Buddy Chair
Kerri Cobb- Equipment and Facilities
Allison Kunefke - Newsletter
Keli Fields– Advisor
Melinda Fritsche- Advisor
Belle Morgan– Advisor
Other Committee Members:
Lauren Hargrove
Amy Ketner
Summer Steinberger
Reagan Foster