Miracle League gives people opportunity to participate in America's favorite pastime

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (WTXF) - In Miracle League every player bats, rounds the bases and scores each inning. Both teams win and everyone has fun.

Time to play ball in Camden County. A new season of Miracle League has begun at Challenge Grove Park in Cherry Hill. Children of all ages and abilities can play including children who typically rely on walkers or wheelchairs to get around. The boundless field is made up on non-latex rubber.

"It's a field of dreams," said Brian Van de Vaarst.

"It makes it easy for people who have mobility issues. Using wheelchairs or walkers or crutches they can navigate the field without a problem and even if they were to fall, they are very unlikely to get injured," said GM of the Camden County Miracle League Arthur Aston.

Each child and adult in the local Miracle League is assisted by a buddy - typically a brother, sister or a friend. Aliyah Anderson is a high school senior and a league volunteer. She helps run the Miracle League club at Cherry Hill East High School.

"It's really inspiring to be able to help all these people knowing they have disabilities and to make sure they have fun," Anderson said.

For Program Manager Author Aston, the work is personal.

"When I was coming up, nothing, like this existed, so it's really special and personal for me to see how we're able to provide a service for families and the families are able to sit and cheer like any other sporting event children would attend," explained Aston.

Anyone interested in the program can volunteer as a buddy - also known as an angel in the outfield - and see first-hand how programs like this one enhance the lives of so many children and their families. For more information, click here.