Making Miracles Happen in Prince William County

If you’ve ever had a chance to watch a Miracle League baseball game then you know just how special it is. The fall season of the Miracle League may be over but the memories made by the children and their families who participated will last a lifetime.

For young Ava, who is 11 and has global developmental delays, her mom Monica says Ava was so excited to go to the games and that playing in the league has helped her become more independent.

“As her parents, it’s so nice for us to see her do an activity with other kids – help increase those social skills,” Monica adds. “It’s been so nice to see her running around, participating and making friends.”

“The League is very well organized, and everyone is so nice,” she adds.

Lincoln who is 5 years old and has down syndrome, also played in the fall season of the Miracle League. His mom Tynia says while he is very shy and nonverbal, he does communicate in his own way.

“This is something new for him. He has never played t-ball before,” says Tynia. “To see him get excited about hitting the ball, learning how to put a glove on, clapping for the other kids, coming out of his shell and high-fiving people has been a real joy.”

“It has meant the world for me to see him be able to be around kids like him. And to see how all of them light up just being able to get a chance to play and have fun,” she adds.

Nineteen kids from the age of five to young adults in their 20s played in the fall season of the Prince William County Miracle League. Games are played on the Miracle Field, at George Hellwig Memorial Park in Manassas. The universal access ball field, which was funded through a public/private partnership with Dr. Richard Tami, Field of Dreams, Inc., and The Miracle League of Prince William County, is entirely ADA accessible including dugouts, comfort facilities and paving. 

“We were thrilled to see our players, parents, volunteers and supporters smiling, laughing and having a great time at the Dr. Tami Miracle Field,” said Mac Slover, who coordinates the program for sports services, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (DPRT). “At the heart of it, the Miracle League is really about support – being able to support these children and their families and provide opportunities for them to grow and learn, and really to just have fun – that’s what it’s all about.”

Work to bring the Miracle League to Prince William County began in 2019, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the program was delayed.

“The special needs community is very fortunate that with the help and support of DPRT administration, Sports Services staff, the Prince William County School System, Miracle League of Alexandria, City of Manassas Parks sports staff and countless volunteers this season, we were able to begin the Miracle League of Prince William County & City of Manassas Park," adds Trey Payne, Sports Services Manager for Prince William County DPRT.

Another highlight for the program was this past spring, when DPRT began a partnership with the Prince William County School System (PWCS) to begin Miracle League High School Field Trips. Six high school special education programs from Prince William County and over 200 students participated exhibition games.  DPRT is currently working with PWCS to continue this program each season.

Planning for the 2023 spring and fall seasons has already begun. The spring season of the Miracle League is set to kick off on April 15, 2023 and end on May 20, and the fall season will begin on August 19 and run through September 30, 2023.

To learn more about the Miracle League program in Prince William County, please contact our Sports Services division.

To learn more about The Miracle League and its history, visit miracleleague.com.