Miracle League of Joliet opens at home of JackHammers
Published on May 17, 2008 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL- The Miracle League of Joliet opened its inaugural season on Saturday at the new Miracle League Field located at Silver Cross Field in Joliet, the home of the Joliet JackHammers. The Miracle League Field will serve as facility for developmentally challenged children to play baseball and is the first Miracle League field of its kind located inside a professional baseball stadium. The JackHammers 2008 home schedule opens on Friday, May 23 at 7:05 p.m. against the Winnipeg Goldeyes for Harris Bank Opening Night at Silver Cross Field with fireworks to follow the game.
"I think it's great to come out here and see the kids be a part of something that's pretty special," said Miracle League of Joliet Treasurer Nick Ferro. "This is another great thing for the City of Joliet."
Saturday was the culmination of a three-year project by the Miracle League of Joliet, a 501 (c) 3 charity, founded by Pete Ferro, who is also a founding member and Chairman of the Board for the Joliet JackHammers. Sherri Ferro, Pete's wife, volunteers as Executive Director of the Miracle League of Joliet and has been instrumental in bringing developmentally challenged children the opportunity to participate in a true baseball league with the help of the Leagues many volunteers. The field in Joliet is like all Miracle League fields. It is a special rubberized field where games are played under specific guidelines. Each player bats once an inning and all base runners are safe. Each player up to bat scores at least one run with one person in the lineup getting home run. Each player is paired with a community volunteer or "buddy" to assist them throughout the game. Each player and each team is declared a winner!
"For the JackHammers to be the permanent host of the Miracle League is extraordinarily humbling," said Joliet Executive Vice President/General Manager Kelly Sufka. "Every kid deserves a chance to play! If you come to watch you won't leave with dry eyes, these kids are truly amazing."
The Miracle League of Joliet will be fully operational through early summer and fall and be available for use throughout the year by disability-related groups. For more information, or to volunteer at the Miracle League of Joliet, please visit their official website at www.miracleleagueofjoliet.org.
"The Northern League is proud to have selected the Miracle League as our official charity for this season," said League Commissioner Clark Griffith. "I take great pleasure in knowing that the members of the Northern League recognized the importance of giving every child the opportunity to play baseball and be a member of a team."
Saturday's festivities featured games throughout the day, with opening ceremonies starting at 12:30. White Sox great Carlos May presented the Miracle League of Joliet with a $100,000.00 check from White Sox Charities. Catapillar had also made a donation of $100,000 during the early fundraising stages of the Miracle League of Joliet. For more information, please check out the Miracle League website at www.miracleleagueofjoliet.com.
The Joliet Jackhammers are proud members of the Northern League of Professional Baseball. The league plays 96 games from mid-May until early September. For tickets, or more information about the JackHammers, please visit the club's official website: www.jackhammerbaseball.com.
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