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MIRACLE LEAGUE UNVEILS NEW LOOK FOR FALL SEASON The Miracle League of Pensacola has struggled through its share of adversity along the way. The Miracle League of Pensacola provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids. The league had barely begun registration for its inaugural Fall 2004 season when Hurricane Ivan roared in. The storm brought a halt to plans for the fall season. Then, its Mitchell Homes Miracle League Park became a staging area for storm debris. But the League Board of Directors, the Cantonment Rotary Club, the Escambia County Parks & Recreation, and environmental services company AshBritt worked diligently to have the park cleared and the field built in time for a spring season by April 23, 2005. It happened. Not only did it happen, AshBritt, which handled post-hurricane debris removal for Escambia County, challenged its sub-contractors to donate a portion of their Ivan earnings to the Miracle League with a promise to match those funds. The challenge resulted in a $66,538.48 donation that help propel the league into Phase II of its construction plan, the building of a snack bar and restroom facility specially designed for its disabled players. Now, as the League launches its Fall 2005 season, players will return to find a freshly painted specially-designed crumb rubber field and Phase II construction already begun. The 136,800 pounds of crumb rubber used on the field made the Miracle League project one of the largest rubber recycling projects to date. Pressed into tiles and assembled as a playing surface, the field enables players to travel the field without getting walkers, wheelchairs, and other ambulatory devices hung up in ruts, sand, and sod. When the league held its Spring season, there wasn't time to paint the field details - "dirt," "grass," and base lines into the playing surface, so it relied on duct tape and rubber bases. Now, though, the "grass" is a radiant green, the "dirt" is brown, and the base lines and bases are bright white. The league has grown too. Since fielding four teams in the spring, the league has added a team and expects to add one or two more by the spring. So, with the field and players ready to go, play will begin Saturday, October 1 with three games beginning at 9 AM at the Mitchell Homes Miracle League Park at 555 E. Nine Mile Road. Games will continue each Saturday in October. Visit the Miracle League web site for details and more information on the league at http://www.miracleleaguepensacola.org. CONTACT: The Miracle League of Pensacola offers a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have. The Miracle League of Pensacola is a place where every player plays, every player hits, every player gets on base, every player scores, and every player wins – every inning. Players who need help with hitting, catching, and throwing the ball are paired with a "buddy" who helps out. # # # |