South Hills youngsters travel to Tennessee for Miracle League All-Star Game
Plenty of kids dream of playing baseball under the big lights, with other athletes from around the country, amid a backdrop of thousands of cheering fans.
For kids with disabilities, that dream seems like it would take a miracle to achieve.
Two young baseball players from the South Hills, Dylan Sexton of Chartiers Valley and Sarah Berlin of Upper St. Clair, got to experience what it must be like in the big leagues for a weekend last month. The two played in the Miracle League All-Star Game in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
“She turned to me and said, ‘Mom, I have chills,’” Deb Berlin said, remembering how her daughter responded when she looked out the window and saw the streets lined with cheering people as her team bus made its way from the hotel to the field.
Dylan and Sarah both play for the Miracle League of the South Hills, which has a field in Upper St. Clair specially designed to allow youngsters with physical or intellectual disabilities to play the game. Retired big leaguer Sean Casey, who spent about 10 years in the majors and is now a broadcaster for MLB Network, led the effort to develop the field in his hometown.
“It´s such a wonderful program that allows kids of all abilities to participate,” said Michele Sexton, Dylan’s mom.
Miracle League of the South Hills is one of about 300 Miracle Leagues from around the country. Each year, the national organization invites players from those affiliates to the all-star game.
The local Miracle League has about 370 athletes playing in two main divisions in the spring and fall. The Miracle Division pairs players with “buddies” to help them as they play baseball. The advanced skills division is for older players who are able to move independently around the field.
Buddies are typically middle school or high school students, but adults are welcome, too.
“You don’t need to have baseball experience. You just have to be passionate about helping people,” said Miranda Klein, assistant director at Miracle League of the South Hills.
For more information, www.miracleleague southhills.org.
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