The season opener of Ottawa’s Miracle League kicked off Saturday in Orleans.
This is the first time teams will play a full season of baseball on the city’s fully accessible field for children and adults with special needs.
The field was built last year after 13-year-old Bryce Desrochers pushed to have the Miracle League in the Nation’s capital. Desrochers has cerebral palsy and said it was important to have a safe space where he could play baseball in his wheelchair.
“It’s really awesome because I’m the inspiration and I’m here playing with all my friends,” he said.
His mom, Michelle Desrochers, aid last year the kids were only able to get in a few games before cooler weather arrived. This summer is the first time they will play a full season.
Some of the things that make the field accessible are the synthetic rubber playing surface, dugouts that are three times the regular size so they can accommodate wheelchairs, as well as fully accessible washrooms and change rooms.
“Complete with hydraulic lifts, change tables and all that kind of stuff, so for us this is really an important support mechanism for kids and young adults with special needs,” said David Gourlay, the president of the Miracle League Ottawa.
It gives kids like 4-year-old Lincoln Ferrabee the chance to play baseball for the first time.
“He has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy so he has little canes that he walks with, but it’s challenging for him, so if he wants to go longer distances, or he wants to go super-fast like in sports he’ll use a wheelchair,” said Laura Milsom, Lincoln’s mom.
With help from dad Lincoln was able to hit, catch, and score a run at Saturday’s game.
Registration for Miracle League is still available – you can find more information by clicking here.
