FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions & Answers)
1. What is the Junior League of Wichita Falls?
The Junior League of Wichita Falls is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. One of the priorities of the Junior League is to make all volunteer efforts consistent with the focus areas of children, education, literacy and women.
Over the past 49 years, the Junior League of Wichita Falls has been instrumental in bringing many successful entities to the community of Wichita Falls. A few of these include Beacon Lighthouse for the Blind, Project Playground, River Bend Nature Center, Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center, Teen Court and Fire Safety House.
2. What is a Miracle League Field of Dreams?
A Miracle League Field of Dreams is a specially designed, adaptive field for children with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities. It is totally handicapped accessible and the size of a small baseball field. It has a synthetic surface that allows for easy use of wheel chairs, walkers and other adaptive devices. There are handicapped restrooms and parking.
3. What is the history of the national Miracle League organization?
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.
4. Who is the Miracle League for?
Every child, up to 19 years of age, no matter his or her level of ability, can participate in the Wichita Falls Area Miracle League. Any child that cannot typically play in standard recreational baseball can play in the Miracle League. It is our hope to offer this state of the art facility to adult baseball leagues as interest grows.
5. What is the involvement level of the Junior League of Wichita Falls?
During the 2004-2005 year, the Junior League Research and Development committee actively pursued many options for a signature project to bring to the community of Wichita Falls. After a year of researching projects, the Junior League membership voted to build a Miracle League Field of Dreams through our 2005-2006 Community Plan. This will be a 3-5 year commitment for the Junior League of Wichita Falls, eventually spinning off to be run by a Miracle League Board of Directors. Financially, the Junior League has committed a total donation of $100,000, to be given in $20,000 increments over the next five years, to the total cost of the field.
6. Why did the Junior League decide to partner with the national Miracle League organization?
The national Miracle League organization is internationally recognized for their strides in building the best baseball fields available for disabled children. They offer expertise in marketing, fundraising, engineering, and design, which will help insure the success of the Wichita Falls Miracle League Field of Dreams. Since 1999 they have built 41 fields across the country and currently have 61 fields under construction. They will continue to be a partner in our field as we make updates and repairs over the years to come.
7. How did the Junior League pick the location on which to build the Miracle League Field?
Using the criteria established by the national Miracle League organization, we compared a number of factors in determining the most appropriate location of the field. One of the primary considerations was that the field be constructed in a location where other youth baseball games were played. In Wichita Falls, that narrowed the options to land owned by the City of Wichita Falls or the Wichita Falls ISD. Both were interested and enthusiastic about the possibility of partnering in this project and the Junior League appreciated the cooperation of both entities. The Junior League Board of Directors selected the WFISD Athletic Complex site because they believed it provided the best opportunity for long term success.
8. How will the funds be raised for the Miracle League Field?
The Junior League, through our community plan, has committed $100,000 over the next five years to the total cost of the field. The field is estimated to cost between $350,000 and $500,000 to build. The remaining funds will be raised through grant writing, corporate sponsorships, private donations and sponsorships.
9. Who will be responsible for the Miracle League Field of Dreams?
The national Miracle League organization requires each field to have its own separate 501C3 status. As of April 2007, The Wichita Falls Area Miracle League, Inc. has obtained its 501C3 non-profit status. The Wichita Falls Area Miracle League, Inc. currently operates and will continue to operate as a committee of the Junior League of Wichita Falls, Inc.