MIRACLE LEAGUE

Miracle League photo

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

For more than 15 years, Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting and Pirates Charities has been proud to support Miracle League programs in the greater Pittsburgh region and Manatee County, Florida by providing athletes with unique abilities the opportunity to play the sport they love. Over the years, Pirates Charities has partnered with numerous Miracle League to increase accessibility for the game and allow every all-star to play. From helping leagues build their adaptive fields, to hosting uniquely-Pirates programing on these fields, to supporting opportunities for their athletes to grow off the field, Pirates Charities is honored to work in tandem with the amazing individuals who are dreaming big and working hard for every Miracle League player.

The Miracle League concept was developed in Conyers, GA in 2000 to help children with special needs play the game of baseball. Since 2008, Nutting has partners with nine community organizations across three states, to build custom-designed fields that feature cushioned, rubberized surfaces to help prevent injuries, accessible dugouts and completely flat surfaces (no raised bases or pitching mounds) to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players.

The game itself is played in a unique way. Each player bats once each inning; 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. Today, there are more than 275 Miracle League organizations serving more than 200,000 participants across the world, including Puerto Rico, Canada and Australia.

Pirates Charities was excited to host the Miracle League Day at PNC Park on Sunday, June 5 where athletes from each of the eight local Miracle Leagues joined us at the ballpark along with their buddies and families. One athlete from each Miracle League proudly represented their league by taking the field with their favorite Pirates players for the gameday lineup. Pirates Charities is honored to work with our local Miracle Leagues in creating lifelong memories inside and outside of PNC Park through the power of baseball.

MIRACLE LEAGUE FANTASY CAMP

February 22, 2023

On February 22, Pirates Charities hosted a Miracle League Fantasy Camp for 35 athletes from the Miracle League of Manasota alongside Pirates players, coaches, and mascots. Each Miracle League athlete received a custom Pirates jersey with their name on the back, a Pirates hat and other Pirates goodies prior to enjoying the clinic-style event, which took place on an adaptive playing surface to ensure athletes of all abilities could enjoy the event. Each athlete had their name announced during the opening ceremonies, shook hands with Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting and then rotated through five stations, hitting, pitching, fielding, fly balls and base running, while Pirates players and coaching staff gave them pointers and provided a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these athletes and their families.

July 30, 2022

On July 30, Pirates Charities hosted a Miracle League Fantasy Camp in Cranberry, PA. Athletes from all eight Miracle Leagues in the Pittsburgh region participated in this station-style clinic, with Pirates players, coaches and front office staff. As athletes arrived, they received a custom Pirates jersey with their name on the back, a Pirates hat and various other goodies. Each athlete had their name announced during the opening ceremonies and then rotated through four stations: hitting, pitching, fielding and base running. Pirates players and coaching staff gave athletes pointers at each station.

MIRACLE LEAGUE FIELDS