Opening Night for Miracle League Field's First Official Season

(Springfield, MO) -- It was opening night for the inaugural season at the Betty and Bobby Allison Miracle League Ball Field.

The field is located at the Dan Kinney Park off Blackman Road (2701 S. Blackman). The first youth league game was played Monday, and the first adult league games will be played Thursday. 

"We had a minor pre-season, but this is the first full season we'll be running," says Cyrus Taylor, Community Recreation Specialist. "It'll be a seven-week program. We'll be offering it in the spring and again in the fall. So we look forward to growing numbers and even more participants."

The field, which opened in October 2011, features a special playing surface allowing easy access for wheelchairs and people using walkers. This field is also one-third the size of a standard ball field.

Bases are built into the field, dugouts are wider and the entire facility is ramp-accessible.  Each Player is paired with a volunteer "buddy" who may assist in hitting, running bases and catching.

Games last about 50 minutes and at the end of each game, all players are invited to the field to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

The project was a partnership of the Rotary Club of Springfield North and the Park Board.

See also:
Ground Broken for "Miracle Field" in Springfield MO
Miracle Field Hosts First Game
Rotary Club Offers Glimpse Into Miracle League Ball Field