Miracle League of Arkansas celebrates 20th season in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — From players stepping up to the plate to families cheering from the sidelines, there was plenty of excitement Saturday as Miracle League of Arkansas kicked off its 20th season.

The league gives children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball in an inclusive environment designed to meet their needs.

For families like the Elams, the chance to see their child take the field means even more.

“The joy of getting to watch our kid be included in a sport … we’ve always wanted him to be able to do something athletic and be able to be a part of a team,” said Alex Elam, whose son Jensen plays in the league. “Getting to watch him be a part of a team is fantastic.”

Jensen is blind, but that has not stopped him from finding ways to be part of the game.

“It makes me feel like a proud dad,” Jensen’s father, Michael Elam, said. “I’ve always dreamed of him playing … in my mind would be a normal sport, but he gets to do all kinds of things that I didn’t realize were even possible.”

Peggy McCall, who founded Miracle League of Arkansas, said the league has given families countless moments worth celebrating over the past 20 years.

“We celebrate the big stuff, but I think we celebrate the little things even more because it takes so long sometimes,” McCall-Robertson said.

More than 3,000 athletes have taken the field through Miracle League of Arkansas programs over the past two decades.

But McCall said the impact of the league goes beyond baseball.

Players often remain on the same teams for years, giving them the opportunity to build friendships and a sense of community, she said.

“The players, they get on a team and often they stay for a while, and so they build … they have a team and they have teammates, and they have their own community,” McCall said. “As they get older and have phones, they’re talking to each other and doing things outside of the ballpark. It’s the best thing ever.”

That sense of community extends to the families, too.

“It’s so much fun to be able to connect with other families that are also going through the same thing,” Alex Elam said. “Being able to all watch them, all the kids be so excited about getting to hit a ball and watch the parents be happy about it too, that’s just an absolute blessing.”

Opening Day also brought food, fellowship and volunteers to Miracle League Little Rock Field. First Community Bank grilled hot dogs and burgers as players, families and supporters gathered to celebrate the start of the anniversary season.

After 20 years, the league is continuing its mission of making sure everyone who wants to play has the opportunity to take the field.

And while the new season is underway, Jensen has one request — cooler weather.

“It’s gotta change,” Jensen said. “And if it doesn’t I will faint.” McCall says the league is always looking for more volunteers to sign up on their website. 

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