The Miracle League of Franklin County is a non-profit baseball league for children and adults with physical, developmental and behavioral/emotional disabilities living in Franklin, Vance, Granville, Warren and northern Wake counties in North Carolina.
Miracle League not only gives children of all abilities the chance to play baseball, it also helps players make friends, be part of a team and improve their self-esteem. The games are equally rewarding for the players’ families, coaches, buddies, volunteers and spectators in the stands.
Executive Director Donna Wade was inspired to start the league in Franklin County, North Carolina, after
Donna Wade with her daughter Laci.
her daughter Laci, who was born with Down syndrome, was aging out of her local recreational t-ball league, but still wanted to play baseball.
While playing t-ball, Donna would guide her daughter around the bases (in the same way Miracle
League’s Buddies help their players). Laci didn’t like wearing a baseball helmet because of the feedback caused by her hearing aid. Donna knew this would be a safety issue for Laci when she advanced up to Coach Pitch where team coaches pitch the baseball to their players instead of hitting off a tee.
The recreational league offered to make accommodations for Laci, but Donna knew there were other children and adults like Laci living in and around Franklin County. She wanted to offer each of them a chance to play baseball.
Since its first season in 2011, the Miracle League of Franklin County has tried to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families through the game of baseball and remind these athletes that they’re not limited by their disability. In addition to playing the game, Miracle League athletes and their loved ones get the experience of being part of a team and encourage and support each other.
Each year, the League hosts two baseball seasons lasting 10 weeks in the spring and the fall. Four teams play every Saturday morning during the season with games at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Teenagers and adults age 12 years and older play the early game with younger children ages 5-11 playing the second game. All ability levels are welcome. Our custom, rubberized baseball field is accessible to all including those with wheelchairs and other devices.
Want to play? Sign up here!
You’ll need to create an account to complete registration.
Stay informed about season sign-up dates and other news by subscribing to our e-newsletter here (HYPERLINK TO: newsletter signup)
All games are played at the league’s centrally located facilities at Long Mill Elementary School, 1753 Long Mill Rd., Youngsville, N.C., 27596. Athletes play baseball on a standard t-ball-sized, rubber turf baseball field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices and helps prevent injuries. In the event of inclement weather, games are moved indoors to the Long Mill Elementary School gymnasium.
Players, their families and volunteers enjoy our 1,600-square-foot field house which was completed in 2020 and is equipped with a concession stand, family room, restrooms and much more to accommodate players and their families during our spring and fall seasons. We also use the building for fundraisers and special events.
Once funding and donations are secured, we’re planning to add an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible, all-inclusive playground and 0.8-mile walking trail.
Miracle League of Franklin County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter .
Volunteer
Whether you’re looking for a rewarding way to give back to the community, love baseball, enjoy making children smile, want to have fun or simply need service hours, we hope you’ll consider volunteering with Miracle League of Franklin County.
With as many as 40 volunteer opportunities available during each game day of our 10-week seasons, there are many ways to get involved. Most of our game-day volunteer opportunities are in serving as a Buddy—those who assist and protect athletes throughout the game–but we also need people to help coach league teams, serve as umpires, announce games, operate the scoreboard and more. Learn how you can get involved by visiting our Be a Buddy page.