June 18 – Miracle League Kicks Off 2022 Season with Ribbon Cutting, Day of Fun
Easterseals Michigan will celebrate the 2022 Miracle League baseball season at Friendship Park in Lake Orion on Saturday, June 18. The ballpark opened in 2019, but this season celebrates a brand-new concession stand, and the first full season since 2019. The free event will include a ribbon cutting for the new concession stand, donor wall unveiling, triple header of baseball games, complimentary food, face painting, balloon art, an auction, and more.
Miracle League is Michigan’s first adaptive baseball field, providing children and adults with behavioral and physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league, boost self-esteem, make new friends, and become more than an individual with a disability. The custom-designed field incorporates a synthetic turf that accommodates walking assistance devices, handicapped accessible dugouts, restrooms, and drinking fountains.
For children and adults with physical and intellectual challenges playing in the league, they are paired with able-bodied volunteer “buddies” who assist them in batting, catching, throwing, and running. Every player gets a turn at bat and in the outfield, and every child gets to cross home plate.
Recently, Easterseals Michigan received a $100,000 donation from Greg & Chris Yatooma to support Easterseals Miracle League of Michigan North Oakland. The funds directly assisted with the construction of the new “Andrea Yatooma’s Home Plate Concession Stand.” All proceeds from the concession stand will support Miracle League. Through the donation, the Yatooma brothers hope to inspire a community match, helping Easterseals Michigan reach its fundraising goal of $165,000 to complete the project.
Donations to support the concession stand can be made here by selecting “Miracle League North Oakland” from the drop-down menu.
For more information about Easterseals Michigan’s services, please contact 1-800-75-SEALS or visit www.eastersealsmichigan.com. For additional information about The Miracle League of Michigan, please visit michiganmiracle.org.
WHEN: Saturday, June 18
First game of triple header: 11:00 a.m.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony: 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Miracle League North Oakland
Friendship Park
2280 Clarkston Road, Lake Orion, MI 48362
WHO:
- Easterseals Michigan
- Chris Barnett, Orion Township Supervisor and Champion of the Miracle League Field
- Greg & Chris Yatooma
- Ava ‘Swiss’ Swieczkowski of Oxford, an America’s Got Talent contestant
- Lomas Brown, former NFL player, throwing first pitch
For more things to do, visit the Oakland County Times Event Page!
To submit event info email editor@oc115.com .
Thank you to Jim Shaffer & Associates Realtors for sponsoring this section!