Provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities.

And we do it because...

There is something about playing the game that lights up an individual’s eyes. But for individuals facing serious physical and mental disabilities, that opportunity can often be difficult to achieve. Baseball diamonds weren’t exactly designed with wheelchairs and crutches in mind.

The Miracle League removes the barriers which keep mentally and physically disabled individuals off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Since the main barriers for these individuals arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional youth leagues. Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, synthetic turf field which accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices while helping prevent injuries. Each community’s goal is to raise the funds necessary to complete a Miracle League field.

But it’s more than playing a game. The Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other individuals. To help the athletes the Miracle League uses a “buddy” system — pairing each player with an able bodied peer. The resultant bond is beyond imagination.

El Paso's Miracle League serves individuals ages 3 on up who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities, which causes them to be excluded — whether intentionally or not — from conventional youth baseball leagues. Our program reaches individuals from El Paso County and surrounding areas. The individuals registering in the league are never turned away regardless of their ability to play or pay the registration fee. In most cases, families with indiviudals having disabilities have enough trouble making ends meet on a daily basis. Playing baseball is a great diversion for the individuals and their families. We don’t worry about the fees; there are always generous people who pay the fee on behalf of the player. We have set up a scholarship fund to help those individuals. Of the 400 individuals registered after sixteen seasons, half of them need sponsors.

Our fee hardly covers the cost of a uniform, award at the end of the seasons and supplemental insurance. Our players may not be able to run the bases or hit the ball as well as their healthy peers, but they have an incredible amount of determination to play baseball. We want to help them achieve that dream.

Our Organization is now recruiting coaches, buddies and players for all seasons. For more information contact Sandie Sparks-Olivar at (915) 779-4770 or SandieELP@miracleleagueofelpaso.org.