The Miracle League’s mission is to facilitate all children to be able to play baseball as team members in an organized league. Players with physical, sensory, cognitive, and intellectual impairments are encouraged to register for the Spring season. The Spring season runs from April 2 through June 4 every Sunday mid-morning (with a few exceptions). Adult volunteers coach the teams. Adult and high school buddies/volunteers assist kids throughout the game; kids use special bats and balls and learn to play a position in the field. Game days encourage physical activity and social interaction and strive to support therapeutic progress.
Games are played on the Washington Nationals Miracle League Field in Germantown. It is a custom-designed field with cushioned rubberized turf to help prevent injuries, wheelchair-accessible “dugouts,” and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers. Players receive a custom jersey as well. Game rules include:
- Every player bats once in an inning
- All base runners are safe
- Every player scores a run before the inning is over (the last player up gets a home run)
- Community children and volunteers serve as “buddies” to assist the players
- Each team and each player win every game
In 2011, to make baseball accessible to all kids, the Founder and President Emeritus, Dr. James J. Leder, Jr., led the effort to create the Montgomery County Miracle League. Since its inception, Miracle League has served hundreds of children and youth between the ages of 5-18 with varying abilities from the D.C. metropolitan region. Register now by visiting the website at: https://www.miracleleaguemocomd.org.
