Kid Stuff Sports Community Orgs
PLAY BALL! Chippewa Valley Miracle League Prepares for Summer Season
baseball league for youths with special needs is back at the plate beginning June 9, calls for volunteers
Since the summer of 2017, local rec league Miracle League of the Chippewa Valley has been giving youth with special needs an opportunity to participate in America’s favorite pastime: baseball.
The local group, launched by Amy and Shawn Standiford, came to be when they couldn't find an area league for their son to play baseball in (though other opportunities for children with special needs occur throughout the school year, they said). The Standifords decided that kids needed an opportunity for the summer – and found a solution in the Goodwill Miracle League Program.
During their debut season, the local Miracle League had 69 players; the current season has 199 registered players. This growth shows the great community interest in opportunities like this, and that continued participation is also an assurance to organizers that their work with the Miracle League is making a positive impact.
"It is an experience like no other."
AMY STANDIFORD
MIRACLE LEAGUE OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY ORGANIZER, ON PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM
Some Miracle League players even make the trek from nearly an hour away to attend their weekly games – and it’s the highlight of their week. As Amy says, “This is their game, oftentimes they have had to sit in the stands and watch a sibling, and now they get to play on the field and have everyone watch them.”
The Standifords are not the only people involved with the Miracle League; many volunteers are needed to make this program run successfully. Every player gets a "buddy," or volunteer, who is with them on the field, ensuring each game is a safe environment for all players. Other volunteer positions include being a coach, announcer, umpire, and singing the national anthem at games. A particularly enthusiastic and outgoing individual can even register to be the League’s mascot, Homer (a baseball player, with a baseball as its head!). Each role helps make the program possible – and more fun – for the participants.
Volunteers often come back year after year, and some players have had the same buddy since the start, Amy said. The experience of volunteering for the Miracle League of the Chippewa Valley is “incredibly fulfilling for all involved,” she said. The energy and enthusiasm sparks friendships and creates amazing memories for everyone. “It is an experience like no other," Amy said.
More volunteers are still needed to make this year's season successful; Volunteers are encouraged to register soon so they can be paired with the buddies they will have for the duration of the 2025 season. The season runs seven weeks beginning the week of June 9 through the week of July 28 (there are no games the week of July 4). All games are played on the accessible field at Jeffers Road Park in Eau Claire.
The Miracle League of the Chippewa Valley's schedule, volunteer registration, and additional information can be found at goodwillncw.org/mlcv/. Keep up with the group on Facebook for future updates. Inquiries can be emailed to Amy Standiford at astandiford@goodwillncw.org.
