CULLMAN, Ala. – The idea for the Miracle League Ride started when Brandi Story Evans, Friends of the Miracle League member, met and married a member of the Saints MC. She said she became familiar with the biker world and their willingness to always help those in need, saying, “I myself am a parent of a special needs child. Jacob, now 30 years old, is an honorary member of the Saints MC, has Down Syndrome and has played with Cullman’s Miracle League since it started 15 years ago.”
The Miracle League develops baseball leagues for disabled athletes worldwide. They work to remove the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field. Cullman’s Field of Miracles, a custom-designed, rubberized turf used by the League in the spring and fall seasons, is considered to be the first in the country to combine a miracle field and regular use softball fields in the same park.
While the League has a place to play, the Friends of the Miracle League realized that not all athletes could afford to play. “As Cullman has grown, so has our special needs community. We realized that not all individuals may have the opportunity to play ball due to financial strains and cost of registration fees. Some individuals require costly medication, some expensive adaptive equipment and several of our adult players live in group homes and are on fixed incomes,” said Brandi.
Spring baseball fees are $50, fall fees are $30 and winter basketball fees are $30. After Brandi and the Friends presented the financial need of some of the Miracle League Players to the local Saints Motorcycle Club six years ago, they stepped in and began hosting the Saints MC Miracle League Benefit Ride to raise funds to cover registration fees to ensure that anyone can play no matter the cost. Over the years, the ride has raised approximately $40,000.
Brandi said, “Some years, we have been able to cover fees for all three seasons and some only two. Spring baseball usually has the most players, around 100-105 players, and we have been able to cover those players every year. The number of Riders ranges from 65-85 over the years. We always hope the number of riders increase each year. After registering, the Riders are taken on a 2–3-hour long ride with stops at various locations, and then return to the Saint MC clubhouse for food and raffle prize giveaways. It’s a day full of fun.”
Registration for the ride is from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., with kickstands up at 10:45 a.m. The ride will begin and end at the Saint’s Clubhouse at 141 Doc Clemmons Rd in Cullman. Registration fees are $20 per bike and another $5 for a passenger.
Brandi added, “The Miracle League provides so much for these Special Athletes: inclusion, comradery, pride. It’s just a joy to be part of something that brings so much happiness to so many folks and we wanted to help Jacob’s friends.”
Copyright 2022 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
