17 Years of Changing Lives
During the last 17 years, more than 800 participants have played baseball through the Carolina Miracle League. These games are about more than innings and runs. Many of these children and teens would never have the opportunity to participate in organized sports if not for Miracle Park, which hosts games for players facing mental and physical challenges.
Through these shared experiences, participants benefit from increased physical activity, bolster their self-confidence, bond with others sharing similar challenges, and have tremendous fun in the process. Families also benefit from the support network created through Carolina Miracle League, relying on each other for advice and resources. About 500 buddies from all walks of life also give of their time to support our players during games – running the bases, retrieving balls and providing assistance when needed. We also have help from many other volunteers each season.
If you haven’t yet experienced a game, either as a spectator, volunteer, or buddy, Carolina Miracle League invites you to experience this one-of-a-kind sporting event firsthand.
Who We Are
“Every Child Deserves the Chance to Play Baseball”
“Carolina Miracle League” is a charitable organization that provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. There is something about playing the game of baseball that lights up youngsters’ eyes, but for children facing mental and physical challenges, that opportunity can often be a difficult first step. Carolina Miracle League allows these children to get out in the sunshine and enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form.
Todd can’t walk, but that doesn’t stop him from rounding second base. Rebecca has Downs Syndrome, but the Carolina Miracle League has given her more self-esteem than her parents ever dreamed possible. Joann can’t hear, but the cheers of his teammates have never been louder. Carolina Miracle League gives hundreds of disabled children something few dreamed possible, the chance to play baseball. Yet in all their joy and triumph, there’s still one thing missing – the ability to play the sport like everyone else.
These kids needed a place to play, so a specially equipped field called “Miracle Park” was built in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. This custom-designed venue incorporates a cushioned synthetic turf that accommodates wheelchairs and other walking assistance devices while helping prevent injuries. In other words, it provides a level-playing field where physically and mentally challenged children can hit, run, and catch – just like the best of them.
During each Carolina Miracle League game, every child has a chance to hit the ball and score a run. Each Carolina Miracle League player is assigned “buddies” who assist them in hitting the ball and “running” the bases. Buddies can be fellow schoolmates, parents, college students, business leaders, or anyone who wishes to volunteer his time to give a child the gift of baseball.