Hope Tadych and her 11-year-old daughter Danielle joined Rotarian Lisa Ditchkoff to outline efforts to create a Miracle Field in Opelika. Ditchkoff described the Miracle League Program: it was established in 1999 and currently has 28 national baseball fields with more than 60 under construction.

Through sponsor funding, specially equipped fields are custom designed and built to incorporate a cushioned synthetic turf that allows children in wheelchairs and walkers to glide unrestricted to their positions without fear of injury—it provides a level playing field where children with physical and mental disabilities can hit, run and catch, just as they envisioned in their dreams. Miracle Field gives these children the opportunity to get out in the sunshine, enjoy playing the game of baseball in its purest form. Children of all ages and special needs will be able to play ball for the first time in their lives on the synthetic turf and handicapped accessible dugouts and bathrooms.

The East Alabama/West Georgia Miracle Field will serve about 750 children in Lee County, plus 13,000 children within a 60-mile radius. A local Challenger League has been formed for the “disability” community, which currently plays at West Ridge Fields in Opelika. The new Miracle Field will cost about $650,000 with just the synthetic turf costing $185,000. Currently, about $50,000 has been collected, with in-kind services pledged of $50,000.

Hope Tadych and her daughter Danielle (right) with Club President Debbie Shaw (left) and program host Lisa Ditchkoff (second from left)