By Bryant Somerville
10TV.com

NEW ALBANY — Dozens of children took to the baseball diamond, Saturday, to celebrate Miracle League.

It’s a national organization that was established to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball in an environment that meets their needs.

Children participating met at the New Albany High School baseball field, Saturday. The teams were divided into two before playing two full innings.

In 2005, the Miracle League of Central Ohio, located in Dublin, had its first season. It has continued to grow every year since.

In July, the Miracle League of New Albany, Inc. was founded with the following mission:

1. To provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities.
2. To promote community support, volunteerism and sponsorship of the Miracle League of New Albany.
3. To promote the construction of special facilities within New Albany that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.

Right now, Miracle League of New Albany is designing its field, which will be located within Wexner Community Park at Swickard Woods in New Albany in the future.

Comments closed

By Sarah Sole
thisweeknews.com

For Dr. Kevin Klingele, watching a Miracle League baseball game is an opportunity to see children in a setting that lets them escape for a little while from a normal routine of doctor visits and therapy.

“You see the joy on these kids’ faces,” Klingele said.

As chief of orthopedics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Klingele said, he was introduced to the Miracle League program through the children he has treated.

After visiting Miracle Leagues in Dublin and Grove City, Klingele was motivated to bring one to New Albany, an area that makes sense for the program because of the city’s focus on wellness and its sizeable Special Olympics organization, he said.

To prepare the community for the new organization, Klingele is planning an awareness event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the New Albany High School softball field. The event will include an exhibition baseball game with team members and their buddies, followed by refreshments at Wexner Community Park.

Comments closed