Miracle League of Southlake: The Game Where Everyone is a Winner

This weekend, a brisk streak of wind may have made its way through Bicentennial Park, but it did not stop the Miracle League of Southlake’s (MLS) athletes from playing a good baseball game.

Parents, teammates, and coaches all gathered at the Texas Rangers Miracle Field on Saturday, April 23, to support their families and friends for an MLS spring season game.

This community event allows parents and players within the area to fan out over their kids with the option to enjoy concessions in a safe environment.

The MLS is an organization that provides physically and mentally challenged kids opportunities to play a baseball game with a focus on learning good sportsmanship, commitment, and teamwork in an accessible environment.

This partnership dates back to 2013, when the City of Southlake, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, and the Miracle League of Southlake Organization came together and broke ground for the Texas Rangers Miracle League Field in Bicentennial Park.

Unlike traditional baseball fields, the Texas Rangers Miracle League Field was designed with the needs of individuals with special needs in mind.

Instead of dirt, the field is made of synthetic field turf for durability, safety, and performance. In addition, the playing areas are designed to eliminate barriers for players with special needs.

The organization also opens up the opportunity for kids to mix and mingle with other players, like MLS team member Haley Cruson.  When asked what is her favorite part of the games, she said, “Having fun with my friends.”

For kids like Matthew Clements, it’s all about the game, “The most thing that I loved about Miracle League Baseball is I love hitting baseballs out of the field because it’s a home run,” Clements said.

The MLS program also offers volunteer opportunities for coaches, assistant coaches, game announcers, parent helpers, and hands-on assistance for the MLS’s younger athletes, by assigning them a Buddy.

Buddies accompany younger players on and off the field during a baseball game. They assist them with hitting the ball, traveling to the bases, and quality time if needed.

Their efforts and hard work allow parents more time to cheer from the stands while their kids enjoy a day on the field so that little players like Alex Zubillaga can have fun.

His mother is in full support of the program and looks forward to the games, “It’s an awesome program, the kids love it, the parents love it; we enjoy spending our Saturday mornings out at the ballpark,” Mrs. Zubillaga said.

Image: Alex Zubillaga

Although there are a number of reasons the kids and parents come to play, they are all for a good cause.

To learn more about the Texas Rangers Miracle Field and Miracle League of Southlake, please visit our website.

Although there are a number of reasons the kids and parents come to play, they are all for a good cause.

To learn more about the Texas Rangers Miracle Field and Miracle League of Southlake, please visit our website.