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Miracle League Sun Report
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Miracle League flourishes at Bennett
BY JOHN SHERMAN - SUN NEWSPAPERS
(Created: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 9:35 PM CDT) |
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Imagine a baseball league in which no one ever makes an out, no one ever gets yelled at by a parent or coach and even the umpires leave the park smiling.
Welcome to the Miracle League at Bennett Family Park in Minnetonka.
The Miracle League serves children with mental and physical disabilities, who don't want to miss out on the experience of Little League baseball. There are currently 33 players in the league.
"If you want to play, we'll take you," said Adzick, president of the West Metro Miracle League and also the parent of one of the participants.
Last year, Adzick and other officers of the league helped break ground for the Harmon Killebrew/Subway Field at Bennett Family Park.
The field, tentatively ready next spring, will be used by Miracle League athletes and others involved in what the state high school league terms "adapted sports."
Harmon Killebrew, the former Minnesota Twins slugger, put his name on the field and a donation from Subway restaurant will help make the dream of parents and athletes a reality.
"Construction of the Harmon Killebrew/Subway Field is set to begin in late July," said Bob Jasper, a board member at Bennett Family Park. "Harmon is a phenomenal guy. He is helping fund the Miracle Field through his celebrity golf tournament."
While the new field is constructed, the first season of the Miracle League is being played on Bennett Park's Field No. 5.
Adzick said one of the highlights of the Miracle League is the interaction between the adapted league and teams from East Tonka Little League.
"Each team in our league has an East Tonka Little League or Girls Softball Association buddy team," said Adzick. "The buddies from Little League couldn't get over how much fun they had the first day. Each of the players in the Miracle League will meet a lot of new pals because we rotate the buddy teams from week to week."
Parents of the baseball buddies seem to be eager to support the Miracle League players.
"My twins play for Rusty Nail in East Tonka Little League," said Meredith Macgowan, one of the moms. "We participated in a Miracle League game last weekend and it was hands down the best experience we have ever had at Bennett Family Park...and we have spent many great days there over the years. My sons, including Cole, my 7-year-old, had the time of their lives and are still talking about it. They can't wait to do it again. What a truly outstanding program!"
All of the players in the Miracle League hit off a tee.
"There are no outs, so everybody gets on base every time," said Adzick. "Every game ends in a tie. Eventually, we might want to start another division where coaches would pitch to the kids."
After the game, every Miracle League player and his/her buddy gets a coupon for a treat, so the concessions stand is a popular spot.
Adzick, who is married to former University of Minnesota football player George Adzick, is the mother of triplets, who are 13 years old.
Koller and Nick play on East Tonka baseball teams and Christian is a Miracle League player.
"The boys were born 28 weeks prematurely," said Adzick. "Christian is the one who has special needs. I have a feeling it was meant to be."
The entire Adzick family loves baseball, she added.
Koller and Nick come to watch Christian play ball and Christian in turn watches their games.
"Bennett Park is a wonderful place to be," said Adzick. "There is such a family atmosphere, and if you have kids who play baseball, you spend a lot of time there."
The West Metro Miracle League is one of several of its kind in the Twin Cities area. There are also Miracle Leagues based in Blaine, Hopkins and Lakeville.
"We have some fabulous sponsors," said Adzick. "The entire community has been very supportive...it's a real Minnetonka rally."
(Comment on this story at our website, www.mnsun.com.)
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