The Miracle League of the Triangle is a local nonprofit that we wholeheartedly support. For those not familiar with the Miracle League, their focus is creating opportunities for special needs children to play baseball. This is not typical little league baseball; it is designed to be completely and fully inclusive for all kids, especially those with physical and cognitive disabilities that make it impossible for them to participate in traditional competitive sports.

There are a lot of kids whose disabilities prevent them from enjoying the kinds of activities that most children take for granted. More importantly, kids with special needs often lack the opportunity to develop community and social support. There is a certain camaraderie that only develops when people share an experience. There are no strikes or outs in this type of baseball. In fact, players sometimes take a slow or circuitous path around the bases, which is perfectly fine in this type of baseball! The only goal is to give the kids a chance to have fun.

Thanks to what this great organization does every year, a number of kids now have the opportunity to be an active part of America’s national pastime. It opens doors to new friendships and the feeling of connectedness that comes from being part of a team. They also assign “buddy” volunteers to each player to ensure safety and help keep the game entertaining and engaging. The Miracle League of the Triangle has two ball fields; one in Cary and one in North Raleigh. They have numerous volunteering opportunities and their current season runs through the end of October.

Players must be at least 5 years old and have a diagnosed disability or IEP/501 plan. To learn more about the Miracle League, you can watch a short video on their web site here.