The groundbreaking for the Miracle League Field, located at the Dunham Recreation Complex in Western Hills, took place on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at 11 a.m. The field now provides children with disabilities a safe and permanent home for the Miracle League of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
The synthetic turf field was completed in April 2009 with a dedication ceremony and Miracle League game on May 9, 2010. Unique features of the complex include covered dugouts, an adjacent pavilion with handicap accessible restrooms and easy access to Dunham's new Otto Armleder Memorial Regional Aquatic Complex.
For more than 20 years, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission's Division of Therapeutic Recreation has operated an Adapted Baseball League, which joined the nationally renowned Miracle League in 2004. The national association is made up of communities across the country that sponsor baseball programs for children with disabilities and believes that every child deserves a chance to play baseball.
Currently there are 200 Miracle League organizations across the country with 100 completed rubberized fields and 100 fields under construction. The Miracle League is proud to serve over 80,000 children and young adults with disabilities.
Reds pitcher Aaron Harang was present at the Miracle Field groundbreaking ceremony and field dedication. Aaron and his wife donated $62,500 to the Miracle League field.
This innovative program offers athletes the chance to have fun, as well as participate in an organized and competitive league. Every effort is made to create a "true" baseball experience with minimal changes. Volunteers (both children and adults) are recruited to provide on-field assistance for the athletes as needed. This helps promote positive interactions among children with and without disabilities.
