Kids with disabilities in southern Wisconsin may get a chance to play organized baseball if one county can raise enough funds for a planned facility.
Kids with disabilities in southern Wisconsin may get a chance to play organized baseball if one county can raise enough funds for a planned facility.
The Miracle League of Dane County held its first fundraiser this week as it aims to raise $420,000 in hopes of opening the accessible baseball field in the spring of 2021.
Bill Schultz, the Madison man who serves as the group’s executive director, has loved sports his entire life but his prosthetic prevented him from competing in his local little league.
“(It’s about) feeling included, accepted by others, and building self confidence off of that,” Schultz told Channel3000.
Schultz discovered Miracle League in 2018. The organization pairs children with disabilities with ‘buddies’ and gives them the chance to play.
“You let the parents sit in the stands, watch their kids laugh and enjoy and have fun,” Schultz said. “You get to see them do things that you didn’t think they could do. It’s a win-win.”
Schultz said the silent auction fundraiser this weekend raised thousands of dollars, but the Miracle League of Dane County has more than $100,000 left to raise.
“I can’t wait to see these kids out there playing baseball with big smiles on their face,” Schultz said. “Seeing the buddies being inspired by them and then seeing the parents with the big smiles saying ‘Look at what my son or daughter can do’.”
