*No outs are counted

*No runs are counted

*Everyone gets a turn to hit

*Everyone plays the field

*Games Last at least an hour

*No Practices

What kind of game is this where no outs are counted? It is Miracle Ball of course! As stated by their President Aggie Laughery: “Miracle Ball of Dickson County is for kids and adults starting at the age of 4 and up with special needs, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and so on. Our goal is to increase their physical fitness by developing their self-esteem and confidence. Also by teaching them self-awareness while they play with others like them. We will always view our kids as athletes, not as kids with disabilities. We want to give them the freedom to enjoy the spirit of the game.” Miracle Ball is in it’s second season and consists of baseball, basketball, soccer and cheerleading. A League all their own, they have no connection with Special Olympics or Little League.

In Miracle Base Ball, everyone plays and swings until they get a hit and runs the bases no matter where the ball lands. The end result is that each child gets a home run every time! AND everyone wins! Sounds like a great game to me!

Buckner Park hosted gladly made accommodations for Miracle Ball to be played  on their fields.  Unfortunately, the rain only allowed one game this year for this fully uniformed and sponsored group. They split into two teams and play each other: the Orange Team is coached by Robert Laughery and sponsored by Gosseet Insulation, and the White Team is coached by Shane Hunter and sponsored by White Bluff Car Care. It’s all friendly and everyone cheers for everyone else.  Volunteers called “Angels” help these athletes run the bases ( pushing the wheelchairs when necessary) and assist and give direction in the outfield as well. Most of the players swing and hit the ball off of the T stand, but for those youngsters in wheel chairs there is a metal stand with a bat on a hinge-type device they are wheeled up to allowing the batter to pull back on a giant rubber band and release which causes the bat to swing and clobber the ball.

Glenn, father of Alyssa, who plays ball while in her wheelchair, says that she is his “special baby. She doesn’t know the world as we know it, she knows her own world and it makes her happy.” He considers Miracle Ball to be positive stimulation for Alyssa , and he sees great benefit in the stimulation and her being around other kids. It is a delight to see Alyssa’s excitement and hear her joy as she is whisked around the bases.  She enjoys the applause and now thinks that any applause, even at her sibling’s soccer games, is meant for her!  Stormie, Alyssa’s mom, says “Mircale Ball is a real blessing to us.” Glenn adds that parents get involved and are reminded that they are not alone. Faith, Benji’s mom, echoes that sentiment and includes that  “The benefits are getting to know other families with similair struggles and sharing ideas on how to overcome them or even getting opinions about other things that are available for the kids. Plus forming friendships.” Faith and her husband Jeff are happy their son gets to play and has coaches that know the children’s limits. Faith added. “ Seeing Benj have fun while playing brings the joy of knowing that for an hour he feels like a normal kid playing ball.”

This past Friday night was the end of the season party for these two teams and included fun, food, 2 innings of a wiffle ball game and trophies. Hearts and Hands,  a ministry under the leadership of Judy Overton and Mary Bernard, exists to assist and encourage people with disabilities and is a part of Dickson First Assembly Church where the party was held. Some of the Hearts and Hands volunteers assisted in running bases and playing the outfield as well as serving the food donated by Subway. At the end of the evening, to the delight of the children and parents, each child received a trophy. Of course there were team pictures made as well.

It is heartwarming to see parents and siblings cheering for these special athletes  as they play their hearts out and wear their joy where everyone can see it.  Aggie and Robert have created and environment where these children can do what other kids do and their noise and exuberance is widely accepted! Although they are learning new skills, no one is telling them not to be who they are….which is nothing but pure happiness.

www.miracleball.org

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Half BBQ chickens and BBQ plate lunches are each $6.00. The plate lunches will include a barbeque sandwich, baked beans, potato chips, slaw, and a drink. Hot dog plate lunches include the same sides, and are $5.00. Ice cream sundaes are also available for dessert.

Also, don’t miss the bake sale which will be held on Friday, October 30th at Horizon Medical Center. Again, the proceeds will be going to help local families. By coming out and making a donation or buying a plate lunch, you are joining the community to help others. To learn more about upcoming events from “Hope on the Horizon Dickson County EMS Mission 2009″ join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=269585400213