‘Every Run Is a Home Run’: Miracle League Gives Kids a Place to Shine
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A Field Where Dreams Come Alive
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The announcer calls her name. She grips the bat tightly, eyes wide under her oversized cap. Her buddy leans down and whispers, “You’ve got this.” With one swing, the ball dribbles forward. For a moment, she freezes—until the stands erupt in cheers. Her face breaks into a grin as she runs, legs unsteady but determined, toward first base. By the time she rounds third, the crowd is on its feet, chanting her name.
A Park Built for Everyone
Since 2007, Miracle Park at 1160 Old Furnace Road in Boiling Springs has provided a safe, welcoming home for the Carolina Miracle League. Its cushioned turf allows wheelchairs and walkers to glide smoothly. Its restrooms and playgrounds are ADA-compliant. Everything about the park is designed to say: you belong here.
The Opportunity They’ve Been Denied Elsewhere
For most children in the Miracle League, this is their only chance to play an organized sport. Traditional leagues weren’t built for them. They’ve been told “no” to soccer, basketball and football. Here, they finally hear “yes.”
And none of it would be possible without the buddies. These volunteers stand beside each child, helping them swing, running alongside them, and making sure every player crosses home plate to cheers.
“You can see the confidence in the players’ smiles as they round the bases. The buddy system not only helps the kids but teaches the volunteers compassion and joy,” reported Upstate Physicians magazine.
Baseball That Changes Lives
The league doesn’t just build athletes—it builds confidence. Executive Director Pam Dean says families often notice improvements in the classroom.
“When the kids play baseball, it carries over to other aspects of their lives—even in the classroom,” Dean told MiLB.com.
And for some, the impact is miraculous. One mother recalled how her son Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy, relied on a walker until a day at Miracle Park. “He hit the ball … and he just walked off and left it! And he’s been walking ever since!” she told FOX Carolina.
A Community That Believes
The Miracle League is powered by families, volunteers and community partners. In 2025, the Hub City Spartanburgers even hosted “Baseball Is For Everyone Night,” where Miracle League athletes paraded around Fifth Third Park to cheers from thousands of fans.
“In 2007, the Carolina Miracle League made history for the special needs community in Spartanburg by providing a place and an opportunity for all children to play baseball,” Dean said. “Over the last 18 years, we have seen exponential growth in our league. It is a full-circle moment to partner with the Spartanburgers. We can’t wait to showcase our kids and families at Fifth Third Park!”
Why It Matters
For these kids, the Miracle League is more than a game. It’s the pride of wearing a jersey. The joy of being cheered. The chance to play a sport many were told they never could.
For parents, it’s tears of joy instead of frustration. For volunteers, it’s lessons in compassion and community. For the athletes, it’s simple: this league gives them the gift of belonging.
At Miracle Park, the scoreboard doesn’t matter. What matters are the high-fives, the breakthroughs, and the sound of a crowd cheering every child’s name.
How You Can Help — And What’s Next
👉 This league only thrives through the love of its community. Volunteers, donors and fans make every miracle possible. Please consider visiting www.carolinamiracleleague.org to learn more, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation that helps keep these smiles shining.
📣 And stay tuned — I’ll be covering games this season right here, bringing you the stories of these amazing athletes, their families, and the volunteers who make the Miracle League of Spartanburg so special.
Because in Spartanburg, every run is a home run — and every child deserves to be celebrated like a champion.
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