Every high school student is required to have a certain amount of Community Service hours, in order to graduate. The amount of hours differed from school to school, but at ODA students are required to have 25 service hours completed per year.

Many kids get the majority of their hours from one specific organization. In the past few years, an organization has stood out as preference for baseball players and other athletes. It is the Miracle League of Manasota. This organization was created by a community organizer, Laura Tellor, to help school aged kids with disabilities enjoy a game of baseball.

The organization was founded in early 2012 and finally had their opening season game on March 17, 2012. In the league’s first season they had only a total of 56 players, which created three teams with about 18 players per team. Now entering the 2014 season, they had adopted 103 players that are in love with the game.

The event is very organized. It uphold eight teams, who are sponsored by, the LA Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Brave, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, The New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. Each team will play mini two-inning ball games where no there are no outs. Everyone hits and  everyone scores. The idea of this league is to put confidence, and a smile on each of the participant’s faces. Everyone is able to score –an important part of the positive environment for participants, one that is loved by each player.

Each player involved in the Miracle League program has some sort of physical or mental disability. The most inspiring aspect about this league is that any player can participate in the game.

Junior Carson Jungers, said, “Miracle league is a great way for kids with disabilities to still come out and have a fun time. I have volunteered at Miracle League about five times, and being a buddy really puts a smile on those kids’ faces.”

Miracle League is helped by the high-school volunteers from Cardinal Mooney, ODA, Sarasota, Riverview and Lakewood Ranch. Every Saturday volunteers from all over Sarasota and Manatee county, come out to support the cause. All though many people are familiar with the program, the league is still always looking for new volunteers.

“I have never volunteered at Miracle league before,” reflects Junior Kimmy Comito. “But I have been willing to go help out for awhile, and now I finally can!  I’m excited to meet the players, and to generally get involved in the program.”

This years season started last Saturday, March 15, 2014. Games will be held every Saturday from now until May 17, 2014. If you are interested in volunteering, you may sign up at the Miracle League Manasota online. CLICK HERE 

Volunteers are scheduled to show up at 7:30 a.m and then the event will start at 8 a.m. The event will be done by 1:00.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact event coordinator, Laura Tellor at:  [email protected]

On campus, if anyone ODA students would like to volunteer,  you may also contact Jimmy Kuebler  via his odathunder account: [email protected]