If you build it... Miracle League plans to bring ballfield to southwest Michigan

Nick Buckley
Battle Creek Enquirer
Jack Stoner of the Cubs wheels to third on the rubberized field during a Miracle League of Mid-Michigan game at the special Case Cares Miracle Field in DeWitt Township Wednesday, June 20, 2012.

Thirteen-year-old J.T. Faber makes a nearly three-hour round trip to play with his baseball team.

For five years each spring and fall, he and his family have traveled from their home in Battle Creek to Rockford north of Grand Rapids for seasons that span six weekends.

It's not high-level travel or city recreation baseball, but a unique league for kids like J.T. who have physical and cognitive disabilities.

J.T. Faber of Battle Creek following a 2018 West Michigan Miracle League game in Rockford.

“Just because he’s not the 'typical kid' doesn’t mean he can’t participate and take part in the typical activities," said Tom Faber, J.T.'s father. “Every child deserves a chance to play baseball. That’s the concept and idea, and he’s not going to get this opportunity otherwise."

And there's a movement afoot to bring the opportunity a bit closer to home for J.T,. and other Battle Creek kids.

Miracle League has more than 300 specialized rubber-surface barrier-free baseball fields across the nation. The fields make it easier for children and teens with physical and cognitive disabilities to play.

There are nine Miracle League fields in Michigan, including the Mid-Michigan league in DeWitt. Though closer to Battle Creek than Rockford, the Mid-Michigan league plays its games on weekdays and doesn't fit J.T. Faber's schedule .

Jud Hoff, board president of the Miracle League of Southwest Michigan and co-owner of The Dome Sports Center in Schoolcraft, says he'd like to have a field built near his business property off of US 131 in time for a summer 2020 season. 

A field there would cut round trip travel time for local families to just over an hour. 

A Miracle League of Mid-Michigan game at Case Cares Miracle Field in DeWitt Township Wednesday, June 20, 2012. The league helps kids with physical and cognitive challenges take part playing ball with a team on a barrier-free field.

Hoff's efforts began about a year ago, shortly after he attended a West Michigan Miracle League game in Rockford.

"After about five minutes, I said 'We've got to do this,'" he said. "It was the joy of the kids and the excitement. There is all this laughter and positive noises coming off this field, versus a regular baseball game where you hear yelling at the umps. Seeing the pure joy of kids as they play the game is just contagious."

Once developed, the Miracle Field will be central to the multi-sports property, which will include four artificial turf soccer fields and a field house. The entire project is estimated to cost between $700,000 and $1.1 million.

Hoff said "about 10%" of the fundraising is complete as the organization gets set to launch its capital campaign. The non-profit hosted a whiffle ball tournament in May and is planning future fundraisers. Donations can be made at swmimiracle.org.

"This is a large group of kids in our area, over 5,000 kids in this area, that qualify to play, that are not getting this same opportunity to build camaraderie, be on a team and strive through life's difficulties," Hoff said. "Our mission on our campus today is to help kids understand that sports is a foundation for life. Sports aren't life. Sports are for everybody."

In addition to providing a field, the Miracle League offers "buddies," or volunteers, who assist players during games.

"It allows me to go and be a dad and go sit and watch," Faber said. "We do things at home and play in the yard, but to have that opportunity, like any other dad, and sit and watch him play baseball is a great opportunity."

Nick Buckley can be reached at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley