Troy Parks and Rec kickstarts Miracle League, looks for volunteers

One coach talks to an athlete during a previous baseball season. University Relations photo

Inside the Troy Sportsplex, the City of Troy Parks and Recreation is getting ready to take on the diamond for this year’s Miracle League kickball season.

Miracle League is an adaptive sports organization which looks to help people aged five years and older with mental or physical disabilities get together with their community and play sports. Every year, the Miracle League of Troy holds a series of baseball games in the spring and a series of kickball games in the fall.

“It gives everybody a chance to get to know and experience that we’re all the same even though we each have different challenges,” said Miracle League President and kickball director Sheila Compton. “It blesses the families because they get to experience [their family] participate in something that is meaningful to them without the families having to be on the field with them.”

Miracle League buddies are people who help support Miracle League athletes during games. Buddies are a crucial part of the league and help ensure that every player has a good time out on the field.

Compton said this season’s buddy count is a bit low and encourages student organizations and local individuals to take part in Miracle League.

“From what I have heard from all the different organizations that volunteer, they think they’re coming out to help us and be a blessing to us, but what they respond back with is that they received the blessing,” Compton said. “I think that if you just come and join, you will experience a different way to enjoy sports and to appreciate life and people with different challenges.”

For Ella Cuts, a Troy alumna and buddy for previous seasons, being part of Miracle League was nothing short of rewarding.

“I started being a part of Miracle League my freshman year at Troy [and it] gave me a sense of community that I was eager to be a part of,” Cuts said. “I have also loved working with individuals with various needs, and getting to advocate and celebrate them in a space where they can be fully themselves was my favorite part.”

Organizations that typically participate as Miracle League buddies include sororities and fraternities, campus Christian organizations and student athletes.

There is no deadline for buddies to sign up. Individuals or organizations are all welcome to apply at any point during the kickball season.

“I learned so much from the players at Miracle League,” Cuts said. “They are courageous, kind, hard-working and truly the funniest people you’ll ever know!

“As I have recently graduated from Troy this past May and moved away to begin my post-graduate career, I won’t be a buddy or coach this season, but I truly encourage anyone who I meet to get involved. You will truly become better because of it!”

The first Miracle League kickball game is scheduled for Sept. 14. Following games will be played every Monday for six more weeks, until the final game on Oct. 26.

For more information on the games, or to apply to be a buddy, those interested can email Troy City Parks and Recreation Programs Coordinator Cassidy Smartt at cassidy.smartt@troyal.gov.