My husband coaches and my son plays on a Challenger Little League team. Created for kids with special needs, both physical and developmental, Challenger has been a part of our life for eight years. The rules are: games are two innings long, every player hits, every player runs all the bases. Sometime a team of younger "typical" Little League player join the team on the field. It looks like a free-for-all, but as my mom once said, "This is the way a game should be played. For fun."
These photos show one of the two accessible fields in northeast Phoenix, Rich Dozier Field at the Reach 11 Recreation Area. The field is an artificial surface and totally flat so wheel chairs can roll around the bases more easily.
Now is the opportunity for Scottsdale to have its own accessible baseball field and be a part of the Miracle League.
Residents are invited to attend a meeting Aug. 27 to review conceptual plans for a proposed baseball field designed to accommodate children with various disabilities.
The meeting is set for 5 p.m. Aug. 27 at the proposed site of the field, the Scottsdale Unified School district’s Early Childhood Learning Center — the former Cheyenne Elementary School, 11130 E. Cholla St.
The non-profit Miracle League of Arizona is working on the project together with the school district and the city. The Miracle League’s baseball field plan has been reviewed by city and school district staff. It’s now the public’s opportunity to view preliminary plans and provide feedback.
Miracle League is a volunteer-based organization led by Dan Haren Sr., father of Diamondback’s pitcher Dan Haren. Its mission is to provide opportunities for children with special needs to play Miracle League baseball, and to promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle League of Arizona and the construction of facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.
There are nearly 3,000 special needs children in the Scottsdale School District and an additional 3,100 special needs children not part of any on-site school program.
For more information or questions about the baseball field project, contact Dan Haren, Miracle League of Arizona, at (480) 306-6081 or dharen@mlaz.org.
Playing sports gives all kids confidence and opens doors to future opportunities. Kids with special needs want to play, too. If you have the time and inclination, please join in on the planning of the Miracle League and the creation of a Scottsdale accessible baseball field.
Watch this Miracle League video to see some player in action!
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