Teammates Omar, Jordan and Colleen keep a watchful eye on their competition.

Morning sunlight sprinkles over the vacant ballpark as Miracle League Executive Director Peggy McCall begins her daily labor of love before her beloved constituents joyfully arrive. My eyes widen as I watch Peggy maneuver a huge contraption on wheels from an adjacent building. As she draws closer, I have visions of those old one man bands with drums strapped to their backs, a guitar and a glockenspiel across their fronts, harmonicas around their faces and other various noise makers attached to ankles and arms. Basically anything pertaining to Miracle League baseball, not music, is on this cart.

Of course the cart was once a simple shelving unit. Then with Peggy’s vision for efficiently preparing and providing the necessities for players, she and a “dear friend” dreamed up and retrofitted the contraption. The Miracle League mega-cart was born. It’s a rolling metaphor for the past nine-plus years. From Miracle League’s birth in Little Rock to its evolution over the years including a new program in Springdale, the non-profit organization has continued to strive to better serve families.

“It’s more than baseball out here,” Peggy shares. Her warm, brilliant smile draws you in as she talks about the relationships with players, parents, volunteers and supporters alike over the years. With genuine humility and heart, she credits others when discussing the successes and growth of Miracle League. “We worked with then Mayor Jim Dailey on the land. Mark Davis and Club 99 raised the funds in the beginning for the field. The Hat Club Boys in Little Rock continue to help through the Miracle Whiff event. It takes 300 volunteers a season. There are so many people and groups who support us and who have been involved since the beginning,” explains Peggy. Again, with that infectious smile, she lovingly refers to long-time volunteers as “lifers”.

One such “lifer” is Little Rock City Attorney Bill Mann. “I knew Peggy from church back when it all started in 2006. I had coached my son growing up at Junior Deputy and wanted to be involved. It was a natural kind of fit,” Bill says. “I’ve coached the (Miracle League) Cardinals since then.” Being on the board since 2014 Bill says with a smile, “I do whatever they tell me to do.”

When asked what he gets out of volunteering he shares, “This is the best time of my week. Watching these kids play baseball is a high. It gives kids’ parents the opportunity to watch their kids have fun. I sometimes walk away with a tear in my eye – not sad. I’m happy.”

At that point one of Bill’s players walked up to tell him thank you for coaching after the game. It was 14 year old Colleen. She reached for his hand, held it and kissed it. (HIPPAA laws prohibit the use of players’ last names.)

Colleen has Down syndrome and is a student at The Academy at Riverdale. She has been involved with Miracle League since her family moved to Little Rock in 2009. Colleen’s mom Cathy says, “She totally looks forward to games, the comradery, the “Buddies”, and high fiving. No matter the weather she doesn’t want to miss games.”

“Colleen is independent in spirit and personality. She even decided to start switch hitting. She bats right handed although she’s actually left handed. By in large it’s just about being together and having fun,” explains Cathy.

According to Collleen’s mom Cathy, “One of the biggest hits out here is everyone singing the seventh inning stretch song at the end of the game.” (Colleen led everyone in the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on the day of the photoshoot.)

She goes on to say, “There’s no judgment out here. It’s so refreshing. This is what’s right with the world. They’re even blissfully unphased by celebrity. Last year, Garth Brooks came out and was catching. Cy Young winner Cliff Lee was pitching. Nobody knew who they were. They were just playing the game. The coaches are amazing. I’m in awe of Peggy’s vision and commitment!”

So how does Miracle League work?

Executive Director Peggy McCall says, “We’ve never found a kid that we couldn’t make it work.”  There are three league designations geared toward every child.

Single A
Original League		 All players start their Miracle League careers in the Original League. Players four years and older will have a positive experience while enjoying the game of baseball playing along side a “Buddy”/volunteer. The Buddy will assist and protect the player so the parents, family and friends can enjoy cheering their budding all-star. Games are played on Saturdays.
Double A
Fundamental League		 Fundamental league is for players who have played in the Original League and at least 10 years old. In this league players will not have a “Buddy”/volunteer by their side. The goal in this league is to learn by positive interaction with the coaches to be able to play more independently through repetitive drills of the fundamental basics in the game of baseball. Games are played on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Triple A
Competitive League		 Competitive League is for players who have played in the Original and Fundamental Leagues and are at least 12 years old. Players joining this league will put the skill set learned in the Fundamental League to good use as the budding player steps up to the plate for a game where basic rules of baseball are followed. Positive attitude and good sportsmanship are taught because there is a winner at the end of the game. Games are played on Friday nights.

Peggy McCall's Top 10 (plus a couple) Favorite Things about Miracle League

  1. Smiles on faces
  2. The first time a player hits the ball, they’re so amazed and proud.
  3. When they hit a home run…over the fence
  4. Watching kids come back from one season to the next and seeing their teammates again
  5. Parents making memories
  6. The coaches care so much and they help year after year.
  7. Of course, the “Buddy”
  8. All the positive and fun energy
  9. The parents’ trust in us is huge.
  10. Relationships with the kids and their parents
  11. This is a community program, supported by individuals and local groups. We don’t get government funding.
  12. It’s all good at the ball park!

Don't Swing and Miss Your Chance to Help the Miracle League!

9th Annual Miracle League Double-Header
War Memorial Stadium • Saturday, November 7

It’s the kickoff of Miracle League Baseball’s 10th season. You can step up to the plate in the Home Run Derby with MLB pros on the mound plus kick back and watch the celebrity whiffle ball game. There will be live and silent auctions, entertainment by Tragikly White with drummer extraordinaire Grant from the Miracle League competitive league sitting in. Go to MiracleLeagueAR.com for more information.