Play Ball! Special Needs Miracle League Celebrates Five Years in Region

Inspired by his daughter, Jordan, who is autistic, Cranberry resident Mike Sherry and his wife, Chris, founded the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania in 2007, not knowing if they would have enough players to form a team.

Five years later, there are four Miracle Leagues in the Western Pennsylvania region—and hundreds of players in the game who otherwise may not have gotten a chance to play ball. 

“We’ve gone from having no field five years ago to having four fields,” Sherry said. “It’s been truly a wonderful experience to watch its development.”

MLSWPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children and adults with special needs the opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league.

Central to the Miracle League concept is the “Buddy System." Buddies, who are mainstream children and adult volunteers, assist all Miracle League players in the field and at bat during the game.

Since the Cranberry organization formed in 2007, Miracle Leagues have popped up in Upper St. Clair, Murrysville and Wheeling, W. Va. Sherry said the league attracts hundreds of special needs players from across the region.

“We’ve probably went from 103 kids playing to close to 500 plus, kids in the region playing,” he said.

At the Cranberry location, games are played at the Pirates Charities Miracle League Field, located in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Sportsplex at Graham Park.

The specially designed field is made of a synthetic surface that allows children who depend on wheelchairs, crutches and walkers to safely navigate the field without risk of possible injury due to ruts or uneven surfaces.

“We continue to have great leadership on our board of directors who understand our mission and our passion,” Sherry said. “Cranberry is one of the largest Miracle Leagues in country.”

To celebrate its five-year anniversary, the organization will celebrate on its opening day at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11.

Activities will take place throughout day, including face painting, balloon making and an appearance by the Pirate Parrot.

“Everyone is encouraged to stop out,” Sherry said.

For more information, visit the MLSWPA website by clicking here.

Are you attending opening day? Want to congratulate the Miracle League on five years in Western Pennsylvania? Tell us in the comment section below.