Miracle League of Southwestern PA

From Mike Wiseman: To all Miracle League of Southwestern Pa families, volunteers and friends. The Pittsburgh Pirates are having a 5k run/walk on April 9th at PNC Park to benefit Pirates Charities. Pirates Charities is a huge supporter of The Miracle League and has not only been generous financially but has also donated a lot of time and resources to the Miracle League. I feel as a parent of a player and a volunteer of the Miracle League it would be great to get a group of runners and walkers together to support this 5k and give back to one of our biggest supporters. If your not quite ready for a 5k or you would like to do this with your children there is also a one mile family fun run/walk option.

My idea is to get a group together all wearing Miracle League T-shirts to show our support and thanks to the Pirates and the Pirates Charities. All of the information for the race is listed on line at PIRATES.COM/5KHOMERUN or you can call the Pirates at 412-352-4992.

After you are signed up with the Pirates contact me by email michaelpwiseman@yahoo.com or by phone at 724-498-5703. Once I get a list of everyone that is participating in the race I will put together details of meeting on the day of the race as a group and possibly getting Miracle League T-shirts for everyone to wear.

If you register with the Pirates for the 5k before March 25, 2011 the cost is $20 per person. After the 25th it is $25 per person.

The Family one mile fun run/walk is $10 per person.

The Pirates website says all registrations include a T-shirt, post-race party and a ticket voucher to receive a complimentary game ticket to either the Saturday, April 9 or Sunday, April 10 Pirates home game.

I think this would be a great way to start off the 2011 Miracle League of Southwestern Pa season.

After each season, the Miracle League sends out a survey to parents to get their opinion on how the Miracle League supports their children and what we can do better. Here is a link to the 2010 Survey Results.

Russell Clark, a Pine Richland High School Baseball Player, was selected to participate in a National HR Derby and is supporting the MLSWPA. Here is a link to the website. Also, here's a email from Russell's dad, Buddy, and how Freddy Sanchez met with him at the event.

Mike,

Russell had a great time at the Power Showcase, and got to make some new friends among the players, but unfortunately he didn’t hit any homeruns. Once he settled down, he started to consistently put some good swings on them -- and hit a few to the wall -- but came up just short.

They announced Jordan as his partner during his second round of hitting, which was neat to hear over the loudspeakers.

We had a terrific visit with Freddie, Alissa, and their kids. They also came with another family whom they had been out with for the day. Freddie even brought a signed bat for Russell! They sat and watched with us for about an hour or so (little Ryan was chanting “Go Russell Go” while Russ was up to bat). As you mentioned, they are wonderful, down-to-earth folks, and we were humbled that they took time out of their holidays to come out and visit us during the event. As they were leaving, we all walked down to the end of the dugout where we called Russell over so that Freddie could give him the bat and chat with him for a few minutes.

All-in-all it the event was a good experience for Russell, and we all got to watch some outstanding high school athletes (the winner hit 14 homeruns over three rounds, and hit the longest home run at 462 feet!). After it was over Russell went up to the organizer (Brian Domenico) to say thanks, and Brian said he was going to try to get him back next year for the main event (upperclassmen derby). We’ll plan for it, and I’m anxious to see how Russell prepares and responds next year. And with more time to prepare, hopefully we can use it to bring more attention to the Miracle League.

Thanks so much for your help this year, and for arranging the visit from the Sanchez’s. We’ll see you back in Pittsburgh,

Buddy

Players and volunteers were in the holiday mood during the

Miracle League's first Holiday Party. Everyone was able to meet Santa, have a balloon animal made, get their face painted, and participate in many more activities. Smiles were everywhere. The Miracle League wishes all of its players, volunteers, and families a happy holiday season. Click below for some pictures.

Mike Sherry, President and Founder of the Miracle League of Southwestern PA, has been named the 2010 Jefferson Award Winner. Mike won the award for all of his effort to bring the Miracle League to the Western PA area. Click on the link below to read about the honor that Mike received. Congratulations.

Freddy Sanchez visited the Miracle League of Southwestern PA ball field that he and his wife Alissa helped fund. The former Pittsburgh Pirate second baseman and three time All-Star joined the Miracle League players Saturday June 5th, 2010 at the Miracle League field located at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Sportsplex at Graham Park in Cranberry Township PA. Here are some photos from Freddy and Alissa's visit.

“We are extremely excited to have Freddy and Alissa return to the Miracle League Field that they helped fund.” States Mike Sherry, President and Founder of The Miracle League of Southwestern PA. “Without their support we might not have been able to accomplish our goal of providing a field that allows all children and adults with special needs the opportunity to play baseball.”