Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 1/4/2023
SPRINGFIELD – The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts is having an Open House on Jan. 21 at 413 Athletic Training Center on 340 McKinstry Ave. Suite #250 in Chicopee from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
“This Open House was something we held every year until COVID [-19] hit, but we are back at it,” said President Brian Feeley. “We’ll play a modified Miracle League game inside the 413 Athletic Training Center. Followed by a Q&A and a pizza party for families to learn more about what the Miracle League is all about.”
Founded in 2015, the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts is a youth baseball league for children ages 4 to 19 with cognitive and physical disabilities. They serve over 100 families per year playing eight weeks in the spring and six weeks in the fall. When the club was first founded, they played on a dirt field at William J. Dean Tech High School in Holyoke with 17 children. Now, they play their games on the Asherman Family Field at Springfield College. “The Miracle League is a worldwide organization with local chapters,” Feeley said. “We draw families from all over Western Mass including the Berkshires. Our goal is to break down the barriers that would normally keep kids off the field. We allow all children the ability to enjoy the great game of baseball.”
He went on to say, “We invite anybody to our Open House that would like to learn more about the Miracle League of Western Mass. Whether they’d like to be a volunteer or they’re a parent of a child with special needs who would like more information.”
The club is reaching out to local high school sport teams to come volunteer as a group. If they are able to bring on more volunteers, it will allow them to expand to additional games and open more opportunities for children to play. The club is also in the process of having a Miracle League All Abilities Playground constructed in Holyoke and they are hoping to break ground late spring or early summer.
“It’s truly a grassroots effort to spread the word about the Miracle League,” Feeley said. “Being an all volunteer organization, its truly a team effort to help find unique ways to promote the league. We love seeing the on and off the field success stories, the parents smiling in the stands and having the kids happy to be part of a team.”
To RSVP for the Open House, go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdH3-8pdNoPdNtSERnSlYgWndf8NSNBq70ueCdMOQ78LF2h5Q/viewform
For questions or additional information, email miracleleagueofwesternma@gmail.com or message them on Facebook.