CULLMAN – On Monday, April 4, Spring Miracle League Baseball will begin another season of giving those with disabilities the opportunity to play a sport.
Miracle League Baseball is managed by the Cullman City Parks and Recreation Department and has been “around for about, well, I want to say about six years,” said the league’s coordinator Paul Downs, night manager at Heritage Park.
Downs has two sons with autism, both of whom play in the Miracle League.
“Some people call it the Challenger League, but I like Miracle League,” Downs said.
The league is open to anyone with disabilities. Downs said that he has seen players from the ages of 6 to 60 play in the league.
“We try to match them up with their age group as well as possible, though,” he said.
The spring season runs from April 4 until May 12, and the fall season begins later in the year.
“We only have spring and fall leagues,” Downs said. “The summer is just too hot for the kids.”
Downs, who is also the coordinator of Miracle League Basketball that just finished its season a week ago, said that these community sports are a great way to get the kids to be active and also interact with other people that they normally wouldn’t be around.
“It’s great to get the kids out. It really brings out their personality. Once they find a coach that they like, they want to be with him every year,” he said.
There are usually no more than 10 players on any team, and in any given season there can be between 70 and 100 players registered, making enough players to form several different teams.
“The league gives the kids a chance to interact. It gives them a chance to be a normal kid,” Downs said.
Miracle League sports teams are a part of the CP&R Therapeutic Recreation Program, which uses recreational activities, leisure and play to enhance the quality of life for individuals with physical, mental, social or emotional limitations or abilities. The program targets more than play and uses the power of recreation and leisure activities to support the rehabilitation process and promote overall wellness. Activities are targeted at education, teaching, playing and participation in a number of meaningful activities.
The program offers several events, activities, and ongoing programs throughout the year. It is open to all ages of anyone with special needs of varying levels. The program’s activities are free to attend and are supported by the efforts of the CP&R Department. For any questions regarding the program contact Kelly Pulliam at 256-734-9157 or kpulliam@cullmanrecreation.org.
Visit http://cullmanrecreation.org/programs-events/therapeutic-recreation/ for more info.
