The Northland's Field of Dreams
By:
DULUTH - There's a new baseball field in the Northland, but it's not your typical everyday baseball diamond.
"There's no other baseball leagues like this so it just gives them a chance to feel like part of a team and it's just great for them," said Brock Olson, Duluth’s Miracle Field Director.
It's called the Miracle League, a program designed to provide opportunities for kids with disabilities the chance to play baseball.
"It's a very nice field and I really like it because it gives a chance to kids for them to play baseball, including myself," said Chase Firn, a Miracle League player from Duluth.
Construction for the Twin Ports Miracle League field began in the fall and was completed this spring at Harrison Park in West Duluth.
Before the field was built, finding somewhere safe to play was a challenge.
"They’d play either at indoor turf areas or they might play on regular baseball diamonds but it was just hard for them because kids in wheelchairs on dirt it just didn't work out that well," said Olson.
The field is specifically designed to meet the needs of Miracle League players and parents.
"It prevents a lot of kids with motor planning issues of tripping over things not having an even surface," said Beth Wilde, a parent.
The Miracle League meets every Saturday, and although the season is wrapping up, it's given these kids a chance to finally feel what it's like to swing a bat and run the bases.
Wilde said, "It’s fun to watch everybody able to appreciate the things that the other kids are able to do and watch them learn from each other."
"It gives me a feeling that I can do this. I can do this. I've been born to hit a ball," said Firn.
