Upon entering the makeshift indoor baseball diamond, bystanders realize this is a unique league. At Nations Tobin Park, the young players use wheelchairs, walkers and other assistive devices to participate in the game. Some plug their ears to muffle the noises around them but almost all have colossal grins on their faces. The arena is brimming with laughter and cheers, noise that spills outside the building. Spanish, English and American Sign Language (ASL) can be heard and seen throughout the arena.

Parents of players on opposing teams yell words of encouragement for all players, “Hit the ball, Saul!” “Run Adrian!” “Good try!” These youngsters play for the Miracle League of El Paso — the city’s only sports league for children with disabilities.

The idea to organize a league was fueled by Sandie Sparks-Olivar’s vision and hope. In March 2005, Sparks-Olivar and a tireless team of volunteers organized the inaugural season. With 60 players on six teams, it was a strong start. Never did she believe the league would grow to be as big and important in the community as it is now. By the end of the 2005 season the league had grown to 200 players on 10 teams. Each week Sparks-Olivar receives queries from new parents.

According to Sparks-Olivar, “The Miracle League in El Paso has increased awareness of the fact there are very few recreational activities for children with disabilities. I believe that by providing this opportunity for the children, we are allowing them to participate in a game they would have never thought they could play. They also are able to socialize with teammates and meet new people outside of the family and school.”

The El Paso league is so popular that it attracts players from neighboring Las Cruces, New Mexico and kids in border towns in Mexico.

What Makes Miracle League Different?
The league offers the only guaranteed opportunity for children with disabilities in El Paso to participate. No child is turned away — regardless of the child’s disability or their potential to play well. The league’s motto is its core value: “Every child deserves a chance to play ball.” The league has allowed children in El Paso to get out of their homes and onto the field.

Hard core competition is not the point of the Miracle League. Some find the ‘every child plays and every child wins’ rationale hard to understand. No one keeps score in the Miracle League. There are no outs and no fouls and a total of four innings so every child has the chance to bat and play the field twice. A coach is stationed at home base ready to give a high five to every child at bat. Parents from opposing teams encourage and support all the players when they bat and when they head for home. At the end of each season, every player receives a trophy.  
 
Family Bonds
Prior to enrolling their children in the Miracle League, many parents experienced the heartbreak of being turned away by other leagues partly because of safety issues, but mostly from a lack of knowledge about including children with disabilities. Saul Morales proud dad of ten-year old Saul Morales, Jr., says it was always little Saul’s dream to play baseball but he couldn’t because of his disability. Saul Jr., who has a genetic disorder, was considered too small to play on regular teams. “He loves to play. And as long as he loves it, we will do this for him,” commented Morales.  

Ralph Aguilera’s 16 year-old daughter Amanda is a cheerleader for the Miracle League. Aguilera said, “Amanda loves cheering! She started high school this year and because of the cheerleading, she joined modern dance.” Amanda eagerly looks forward to cheerleading practice each Sunday.

“Being part of the squad makes her feel good. It has really built up her confidence and her self-esteem,” Aguilera remarked.

He is inspired by the work of the league, “This brings so many families together, and it brings our family together. Amanda teaches her younger sister the cheers. They bond and my whole family comes out to support the girls and our team players.”

It means a lot to Morales as well, “My younger son is also on a baseball team, and even though Saul can’t play in the same league as him, we practice as a family. Baseball brings us closer together.”

Maria I. Lopez says the Miracle League has changed her life. Her daughter, Miracle Strand, who has multiple disabilities including cerebral palsy and kidney failure, plays with a team called the Blue Jays. According to Lopez, “It gives me so much joy and pride to see her play. She is finally involved in something she can do and we don’t feel put aside or left out. Miracle tells everyone that she plays baseball. She’s very proud of it and it really motivates her.”

Lopez’s older daughter, Mayda Acosta, volunteers as a buddy for the league. As a buddy Mayda pairs up with a different player during each game to provide support if needed. Mayda said, “It makes my heart feel good to be a part of my sister’s life. We have something in common and we get treated equally.”

Reducing Isolation, Building Communities
Miracle League players and family members support and inform each other. Sparks-Olivar said, “The families are forming a community in which they share experiences and knowledge they might not have done before. I know they could do that at the doctor's office or at school but this is a different type of experience for all involved.”

Lopez described what the League has done for her as a mother. “The Miracle League is like a giant family. You realize you aren’t the only one who has a child with a disability.” Lopez explained that Miracle League families bond together, sharing their goals, emotions, needs and worries, but most importantly, their joys.

Aguilera agrees, saying that families get to know others throughout the city, “There are no boundaries, no limits. This way we don’t have to wait a whole year to see each other at the Special Olympics.”  

The Miracle League continues to be a source of joy and transformation for the El Paso community. It is changing the city, its children and the way the community views disability.

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