The Rotary Clubs of Fargo-Moorhead raised funds to build the our own Miracle Field in 2010, a T-ball sized baseball field for children with special mobility needs so they can experience the thrill of hitting a baseball and scoring a run. The field has a rubber turf surface to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or braces. This allows young people ages 3 to 19 of all abilities to play Miracle League baseball. Two local organizations use the field on a consistent basis, Hope Inc. and FM Challengers.
Every year, Rotarians host Rotary Night at the field where both Hope Inc and FM Challengers each play a game for 45 minutes and Rotarians serve pizza to the players.
The Rotary Miracle Field is located at Southside Regional Park, 2000 40th Ave S, Moorhead, MN.
History of Miracle League Baseball
In 1998, near Atlanta, Georgia, the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association began to invite children with disabilities to play baseball on their typical grassy and gravel baseball fields. With tens of thousands of disabled children in the Atlanta area, enthusiasm for a league that included all abilities mushroomed. But there was a problem: A normal baseball field presents many hazards to players in wheelchairs or using walkers. That’s when the Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County got involved, forming the Rotary Club Miracle League Fund.
By the second season, a new kind of baseball field was created: It had a cushioned, rubberized surface to help prevent injuries and facilitate the use of wheelchairs and walkers. Miracle Fields began springing up across the country. There are now more than 300 Miracle Leagues around the country as well as Canada and Australia.
History of The Moorhead Miracle Field
In early 2009, the FM Rotary Foundation learned that the Moorhead municipal Parks and Recreation Department wanted to build a Miracle Field in our community. As long as the city had identified a location, the Rotary clubs offered to raise the money. Rotarians from each club formed a committee responsible for promoting, coordinating and raising the $254,000 needed. Within a matter of months, on June 10, 2009, there was a groundbreaking ceremony. Less than 18 months later, the first game was played on August 25, 2010. This was the fastest concept-to-completion of any Miracle field built in Minnesota.
Play Ball!
Hundreds of individuals now use the Miracle Field on a weekly basis from spring to fall. Baseball, kickball, and other sport activities are fun and easy to play on the rubber surface. Bleachers and fencing make it more comfortable.
All ages and abilities together
Every Thursday starting June 1 – August 31
6:00-7:00 pm for the recreational division
7:00-8:00 Competitive Softball
For more information:
Adair Grommesh, Executive Director
701-866-9002
agrommesh@gmail.com
FM Challengers
A baseball program for children ages 5 to 18 years with special needs.
Monday and Tuesday nights June – August
Registration deadline mid-May at Moorhead Parks & Rec Website.
For more information:
Jordan Clementson 218-299-5078
Jordan.clementson@cityofmoorhead.com