MIRACLE LEAGUE
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
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.
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
Miracle League of Moon
The Moon Township Miracle League field is now complete! The Miracle League of Moon Township celebrated their inaugural season this past summer. Pirates Charities has partnered with the new Miracle League of Moon Township as well as a number of other community partners to help build and complete the Miracle League of Moon Township at People's Park Field and support the addition of an adaptive playground next to the field. The new adaptive playground will be coming soon!
Miracle League of South Hills
The Pirates Charities Miracle League Field of the South Hills was brought to it's Upper St. Clair, PA location thanks to former Major League player and Pittsburgh native Sean Casey. Opened in 2012, Pirates Charities provided financial support for the project and worked with Sean to generate awareness for the effort. Over 200 youth and adults participate in the South Hills program. A specially designed, accessible playground was added to the complex in 2015. Pirates Charities provided additional funding for this expansion and most recently, was thrilled to support the opening of their Next Inning Project, an effort to provide their of-age athletes with employment opportunities in their concession stand and field.
Miracle League of South Western PA
The Miracle League of Southwestern PA was the first Miracle League partnership for Pirates Charities. The Pirates Charities Miracle League Field was opened in May 2009 and continues to grow and flourish today. More than 500 youth and adults participate in three divisions - Miracle Division (for youth between the ages of 5 and 17), Competitive Division (for youth between the ages of 5 and 17 with more advanced skills) and an Adult Division (for participants 18 years of age and older). The field is located within the DICK’S Sporting Goods Sportsplex at Graham Park, and hosted the first Miracle League All- Star Weekend in 2018 - with all eight Pirates Charities-supported Miracle Leagues represented.
Miracle League of Western PA
The Bill Mazeroski Miracle League Field opened in Murrysville in 2012. The Murrysville program was started by the local Rotary Club of Murrysville-Export and the Municipality of Murrysville. This field is the largest in the region, and the complex also includes an accessible basketball court, fitness trail and picnic pavilion. More than 100 children and adults belong to the program. Pirates Charities contributed financially to the development of this project and assisted with various fundraising efforts.
Miracle League of Indiana County
In May of 2015, the Miracle League of Indiana County hosted its grand opening. Indiana, PA is located approximately 90 minutes from the City of Pittsburgh. The Indiana County YMCA partnered with Pirates Charities on the construction of the field, and now operates the Miracle League program. To date, more than 130 youth and adults participate. Pirates Charities provided financial support to assist with the construction of the field.
Miracle League of Morgantown
Pirates Charities provides funding and in-kind donations to the Miracle League of Morgantown. More than 80 youth and adults participate in programming offered by this Miracle League organization each year from May to July.
Miracle League of Blair County
Founded in 2007, the Miracle League of Blair County is located in Altoona, PA. Altoona is also the home of the Pirates AA Affiliate, the Altoona Curve. Pirates Charities supports the Blair County program with funding and in-kind donations. Approximately 150 participants belong to the Blair County Miracle League.
Miracle League of Ohio Valley
In May 2013, the Miracle League of the Ohio Valley held its first game. Pirates Charities, Ogden Newspapers, the J. B. Chambers Foundation, the City of Wheeling, and the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley were major contributors to the project. The Ohio Valley Miracle League Field is located within the J.B. Chambers Complex and is run under the auspices of the local YMCA. There are 100 total participants in the program.
Miracle League of Manasota
The Miracle League of Manasota began in February 2012, when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles partnered to begin the program in their Spring Training home. Both teams contributed financially to the project, and continue to provide support to this day. There are more than 150 participants in the program.