Pirates Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is partnering with the Miracle League of Moon Township to build the new Miracle League of Moon Township at People's Park Miracle League Field, adaptive playground and ADA restroom facility in Moon Twp. Pa.   
The project is designed to promote inclusive, healthy environments for persons living with disabilities in Moon Township and the surrounding communities and is being made possible by a partnership of community leaders, including Pirates Charities, People's Gas, Robert Morris University, Edgar Snyder and Associates, the Buncher Foundation, Edith Trees Trust, RB Vetco and Acme Door and Hardware. 
On Wednesday, October 24 at 3:30 p.m., the Pirates, and many of the above partners, will be joined at the project site (Moon Park 1350 Ewing Rd, Moon, PA 15108) by former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier, Allegheny County Councilman Tom Baker, and other dignitaries for the official ground breaking of the new Miracle League Field and playground. 
Construction of the project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2019 and will include a Miracle League athletic field for athletes with special needs; a 9,500 square foot custom, adaptive playground; and a fully ADA accessible restroom facility.   
The field, which is the seventh in the tri-state region in which Pirates Charities has played a vital role in constructing, will allow persons with special needs to realize their dream of playing baseball, many of them for the very first time. As important, children and adults will now have the opportunity to develop relationships with their peers and coaches while playing on their very own field.   
Each Miracle League Field supported by Pirates Charities is made of a synthetic surface with no raised areas, to make it possible for children and adults in wheelchairs and walkers to safely move about the field. The fields feature accessible dugouts as well as new electronic scoreboards.  
"The Miracle League programs are very special to the Pirates and Pirates Charities and each time we are afforded the opportunity to assist in the construction of a new facility, we take a great amount of pride in being able to help," said Bob Nutting, Pirates and Pirates Charities Chairman. "This project will allow hundreds of children and adults in the area the chance to experience the great game of baseball while developing relationships with others in their community. It is incredibly rewarding for our organization to see the growth of the Miracle League in our region and to know that many children who would otherwise not be able to play baseball now have fields of their own."
Located in Moon Park, the Miracle League Field will complement the existing Miracle League fields in the Pittsburgh region and focus on players from areas such as Montour, West Allegheny, Moon, Sewickley, Weirton, Steubenville, Beaver County and surrounding communities. 
"Social capital, confidence and personal worth are the keys to improving our society and this project will provide an opportunity for all children to make our future better," said Mike Magulick, Miracle League of Moon Township president. "The board is proud to help lead the development of the project. We are excited to provide a platform for the amazing athletes to play in front of family, friends and the community. These athletes spend countless hours in therapy learning skills and milestones most others reach with ease and soon the athletes will be able to show their skills. We hope the community is ready to support and cheer because soon dedicated athletes will be playing on the playground and Miracle Field creating miracles in Moon." 
Since 2009, Pirates Charities has donated more than $1.3 Million in support of 10 Miracle Leagues throughout the areas in which the team has a footprint. Pirates Charities has played a vital role in the construction of seven Miracle League Fields, including the region's first field in Cranberry Township, Pa. Since 2009, fields in Upper St. Clair, Murrysville, Indiana County, Wheeling, WV, DuBois and in the Pirates spring home in Bradenton, Fla have been opened and are operational today.  
More than 250 Miracle League organizations operate across the country with the goal of empowering children and adults challenged by any form of special need to experience the joys and thrills of baseball regardless of their ability to play. The Miracle League, whose motto is "Every child deserves a chance to play baseball," allows for each player to bat once each inning and that all batters are "safe" and score a run before the inning is over. Games are two innings long and each team and each player always win.   
Integral to the Miracle League concept is the "Buddy System." Buddies assist all Miracle League players, and are volunteers from youth baseball organizations, local civic and community groups, and individuals with an interest in helping children with special needs.   
The Miracle League of Moon Township will implement a "buddy system" that is comprised predominantly of high school students who will mentor the athletes and help with participation in the recreational activities. Relative to the buddy system, the organization has established a junior board for high school students, to provide a leadership role in the league.  
For more information on the Miracle League of Moon Township, including project updates and fundraising information, visit miraclesinmoon.org.