Issue #8 July 2014 - Miracle League of CT

BASEPATHS
LEADING THE WAY TOWARDS A MIRACLE
Summer 2014
Volume 8
Photos courtesy of Alison Jalbert, West Hartford Press
2014 MIRACLE LEAGUE SEASON A HUGE SUCCESS
By all accounts, the 2014 Miracle League season was a huge success. Over 60 players from 18
different towns from throughout the state participated this season. For the first time, the teams were broken down into age divisions. The Dr. Miano Scrappers were made up of our players 13 years old and up.
The Dunkin’ Donut Sea Dogs and The Brothers Associates Landscaping Rock Hounds consisted of our
younger players. Visiting teams from eight different towns came to The Miracle League Field to take on our
teams. Our spring outreach program to Greater Hartford area schools seemed to attract many new players
from some new towns who hadn’t been aware of The Miracle League of CT before. New players were exposed to baseball for the first time and many new friendships were forged.
On opening day we dedicated our new donor appreciation and welcome area. On the arch is THE
MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CT with the saying “Let’s play ball for all” underneath it. That saying was on the
bracelets that Miracle League player Marcus Apter sold for his Bar Mitzvah project that raised over $15,000
to kick start the fundraising for the entire Miracle League project. The wall and arch are made of the same
materials as the accessible to all playground that is located to adjacent to our field. In addition to the wall
there is a welcome circle with two benches on it. The benches were made possible through a donation
from the family of Peter Ladd who was a Miracle League player who sadly passed away on Christmas Day
of 2012. The benches are dedicated to our great memories of Peter and his glowing smile.
The weather was mostly cooperative this season especially on Sundays when all of our players
have games. It was great to see all of the players improve as the season went on. On June 14th about a
dozen of our Miracle League of CT players from all of our teams attended the 25th Annual Ed Beardsley
Fun Day in Bristol. More than 600 players from Challenger Division Baseball teams from all over New
England participated. The day was filled with fun carnival like games, basketball, a mobile petting zoo,
music and lunch. The highlight of the day was a game against a Challenger team from Bristol CT which
mysteriously, ended in a tie as did all of the games on that day. On Championship Day the next day, our
friends from South Windsor took on the Scrappers in the first game of the day. The game ended in a tie
with home runs out of the park hit by players on both teams. The second game of the day saw The Sea
Dogs and The Rock Hounds battle to a 26-26 tie. At the end of each game each player received a unique
trophy this season. They each got a bobble head doll which can be personalized by placing their own face
picture into the head of the doll.
We hope that all of our Miracle League players old and new are looking forward to our fall season
as much as our coaches are. The season will begin after Labor Day. Look to our website or our Facebook
page for details about registration.
Pictures courtesy of Alison Jalbert, West Hartford Press
MIRACLE LEAGUE BUDDIES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO
Buddies are such an important part of The Miracle League program. This year High School teams from
Conard, Farmington and Hall High volunteered as Buddies. In addition we had help from The CT Mission
Team from Avon, The Lightning from West Hartford and many West Hartford Little League Major League
teams.
Being a Buddy is a very special experience shared by both our players and our Buddies. Michael McGuire,
Farmington High School’s Varsity Head Coach reflected on his team’s experience, “Today our Farmington
High School varsity baseball team volunteered for The Miracle League of CT’s Opening Day in West
Hartford... It was simply put, one of the best days of my life. The smiles and sheer joy on the faces of these
kids will be indelibly etched in my mind forever. “
In addition to the teams that volunteered, we had many individuals who served as Buddies for the entire
season. The Miracle League could not exist without their help.
Being a Buddy is the easiest and most direct way to be a part of our organization. If you would like to
volunteer to become a Buddy, please visit our website or The Miracle League of CT Facebook page. We
are always looking for Buddies, if you or anyone you know would like to volunteer, we’d love to have you!
MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CT GETS 10K MYRA KRAFT MVP GRANT
The Miracle League of CT received a $10,000 grant from The Kraft Family and The New England Patriots
Charitable Foundation at the 2014 Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards luncheon on June 9th at Gillette
Stadium. The MVP Awards place a spotlight on individuals who give their time to help others, exemplify
leadership and are committed to improving their communities through volunteerism. This year 26 volunteers
from over 400 nominees were recognized from a variety of nonprofit organizations from all six New England
states. Fifteen organizations received $5,000 grants in honor of their volunteerism, ten others were
presented with $10,000 grants and one grand prize winner received a $25,000 grant.
Miracle League President, Mike Michaud was honored to accept the award on behalf of The Miracle
League of CT as one of the ten $10,000 second place winners. Mike began volunteering in 2005 as
President of West Hartford Little League. While working with West Hartford’s Challenger Baseball, Mike
quickly realized the need for a specialized rubberized field to serve all children who wanted to play the
game. After this realization, Mike, Ronit Shoham and Scott Franklin founded the Miracle League of CT.
Mike has served as Miracle League President since its inception and was truly honored and humbled to
have been nominated and chosen by the Kraft Family to receive one of the Community MVP Awards.
On hand to congratulate the winners at the award ceremony was Patriots Chairman and CEO, Robert Kraft,
New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft, Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady,
Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, Pro Football and Patriots Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of
Community Affairs Andre Tippett and Patriots alumni and three-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Andruzzi.
In addition to receiving the grant an extra benefit to being a second place winner also includes a special visit from the New England Patriots at one of our events this year!
2014 MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CT GOLF CLASSIC
Honorary Co-Chairs Jen Rizzotti and Kevin Ollie with Miracle League players Luke Lomma and Sophia Turek
Mother Nature was much more cooperative than last year, as over 130 golfers teed off at the 2014 Miracle
League of CT Golf Classic. It was a beautiful day at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford for the
Miracle League’s major fundraiser of the year. Honorary Co-Chairs Uconn Men’s Coach Kevin Ollie and
University of Hartford Women’s Head Coach Jen Rizzotti joined some of our sponsors on the links. Dan
Moran and Dan Clark who were playing with the Johnny’s Jog foursome said it was the thrill of a lifetime to
play with Coach Ollie. Other celebrity captains were University of Hartford coaches Brian Mik, John
Gallagher, and Bill Sullivan, Uconn coaches Karl Hobbs, Ricky Moore, Glenn Miller and Uconn video
coordinator Dave Kaplan. Also serving as celebrity captains were former Uconn Husky and MLB player
Scott Burrell and NBC 30 sports anchor Kevin Nathan. Every golfer received a stuffed goody bag courtesy
of Great American Donut and Spot Wines. In addition they each chose a thank you gift consisting of golf
gear from Foot Joy and Titleist with a value of at least $150.
Golfers were served a delicious brunch before teeing off. While on the course, the golfers were
treated to iced coffee and donuts from our naming sponsor Dunkin’ Donuts and bloody marys and
screwdrivers made with Mako Vodka from another sponsor 2 Fly Wines and Spot Wine. Lunch was served
as golfers made the turn at the 9th hole. Upon completion of their rounds, the golfers had appetizers and
cocktails as they dueled each other at the silent auction tables. After the auctions Coach Kevin Ollie
presented the Miracle League with a donation from his charity The Tolland Fund. In addition Kevin
committed to support the Miracle League in the future.
The golfers were joined at dinner by some Miracle League players and their parents. A special treat
was hearing poems written by players Mia Giantonio and Sophia Turek. There weren’t many dry eyes in the
house after their presentations. Luke Lomma and Jamie Roland were also a big hit with the golfers.
The evening was capped off by emotional remarks from Jen Rizzotti and a paddle auction. Once
again, the staff at Wampanoag could not have been more cooperative and helpful. Their professionalism
made the day go smoothly. Big thanks to our Golf Co-Chairs Amy Molinaro and Lisa Roland and Auction
Chair Mary-Lynn Michaud and to all of our sponsors and donors and volunteers who helped to make this
such a successful event.
Silent Auction Items
Celebrity Auctioneers Ray Dunaway , Kevin Nathan with Jen Rizzotti
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
FOR TRICK-OR-TREAT
MIRACLE LEAGUE STYLE
One of the highlights every year on
the Miracle League of CT Field is
“Trick or Treat, Miracle League
Style”. This October 25th, more than
40 civic groups, businesses and
families will create a fully accessible neighborhood on the field so
that any child with special needs in
the area can Trick or Treat in a fun,
safe and accessible place. Last year over 150 children in costume participated. It seems that the
vendors who pass out the candy have taken to the event just as much if not more than the kids.
Each year more and more of the participants decorate their tents with a Halloween theme. Our only
request is that the decorations are on the fun rather than spooky side. There is no charge to have a
booth or tent at the event, and of course there is no charge for the children to participate. If your
family, business or civic group would like to participate this year, please contact Ronit Shoham by
email at [email protected]. Space is limited, so please sign up early if you would like to set up
a tent on the field. Exact time for the event has not been determined yet, so please visit our
website as the time gets closer, or like our Facebook page to get all of the latest updates about
anything to do with The Miracle League of CT.
FALL SEASON BEGINS SEPT. 6
The Miracle League of CT fall baseball
season will begin on Saturday, September
6th. Registration opens on August 1st.
Players may register via our website
www.miracleleaguect.org. Parents may
also download printable registration forms
if they prefer. In past fall seasons, we
were lucky enough to have The University
of Hartford Hawks baseball and softball
teams come out to be our buddies. We
expect to see them again this year. As a
special treat this fall, The New England
Patriots will be sending a retired player or
two to visit us during our fall baseball game on September 13th. This visit is a bonus perk in
addition to the $10,000 Myra Kraft MVP Award that our league received this spring. Fall baseball
games are a bit less structured than our spring games. There are no fall practices, just games on
Saturday afternoons. Game times are TBD. Look for details in August on our website. Highlights
from last year included a game that pitted our Miracle League players against The Hawks softball
team in which our players trounced The Hawks. The following week, The Miracle League players
once again were victorious over their parents, who were the opponents for the day. The fall
season will finish up October 18th.
MIRACLE LEAGUE TEAMMATES
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the following people
and organizations who have contributed to the Miracle League of Connecticut since our last newsletter.
(Please go to www.MiracleLeaguect.org for a complete listing of our Teammates)
Champions
West Hartford Magazine – Media sponsor
MVP
Harry E. Goldfarb Family Foundation
Please consider a tax deductible donation to the Miracle League of Connecticut. Every dollar you donate brings us
one step closer to making this Miracle
happen!
All Stars
Joan & Thomas Gugliotti
Susan Metcalf in honor of Chuck Halpin’s 60th
Birthday
Dr. Steven A. Fischman Orthodontics, LLC
We continue to raise funds for the completion of
the restroom and concession facility. We also
continue to need funding for equipment and field
maintenance.
Walter Rocheford from Bloomfield Bike, Buddy Bike Winner Lucas Gawel and Miracle League Board President, Mike Michaud
MIRACLE LEAGUE PLAYER WINS BUDDY BIKE
Miracle League player Lucas Gawel was the lucky winner of a “buddy bike” on Miracle League
Championship Day June 14th. His entry was chosen at random from among all of the families who
had expressed an interest in the bike. The gently used bike was donated by the Berlin family
through Bloomfield Bike and Repair Shop in Bloomfield. A “buddy bike” is a tandem bike designed
specifically for children with special needs. The unique features of the bike make it safer for both
the bike driver and the passenger. On a “buddy bike” the rider sits in front of the driver, unlike normal tandem bicycles. There are extra long handle bars for the bike to accommodate for the passenger being in front. Because of this, the bike operator is able to keep an eye on the passenger
at all times. For more information about “buddy bikes” visit Bloomfield Bike’s website,
www.bloomfieldbike.com, or stop by their showroom to see one in person at 38 Tunxis Avenue in
Bloomfield.
Come Join Us
Miracle League Fall Season
Opening Day Sept. 6th
Registration Open Aug. 1st
ALL THEY NEED IS A PLACE TO PLAY
Visit our website:
www.miracleleaguect.org
Like us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/TheMiracleLeaugeOfCT
Trick-or-Treat Miracle League Style
Saturday, Oct. 25th
Rain Date, Sunday, Oct. 26th
Miracle League of Connecticut
PO Box 331223
West Hartford CT 06133-1223