Archive for March, 2007

A Day of Smiles, Tears and an Arizona Landmark being unveiled

March 25, 2007 at 5:56 am · Filed under League Development, League Visability, Miracle Fields, Volunteers / Buddies

dreamcatcher_opening.jpgToday at 10:30AM an Arizona Landmark, a point of light in the millions of points of light that make our country great was unveiled in Surprise, Arizona – DreamCatcher Park. This may well be the most amazing facility in the nation for special needs baseball, it certainly is for the State of Arizona. From the cushioned surface, to the stadium seating the bleacher seats, shade canopies and snack bars that make up this really beautiful facility, I can’t say enough. 

There were so many stories both shared with me and those I saw today, I cannot possibly capture and share all of them here, but these are the experiences from the day that struck me the most.

mayorshafer.jpgFirst, I learned that the facility was envisioned by Mayor Joan Shafer (pictured here with our Gene Udvare / Director of Volunteers and CoS Liasion) almost five years ago. One of the council women had brought the same HBO Real Sports video produced by Frank DeFord that has launched a hundred field across the US for the council to view.   After the viewing Joan reported that there was not a dry eye in the place and they looked at one another and said to themselves “we’re going to do this”.

The field was planned but only partially funded by the city council that year, the balance of the funding came through the generous particpaition of the Surprise SunDancers and both the Royals and the Rangers. Today, March 24, 2007 it opened after $1.6M and years of effort.

nick_pitch.JPGThere were probably a hundred or so people present and after Mark Coronado, Mayor Schafer, representatives from the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals, our own Gene Udvare and a well sung National Anthem rendition the opening pitches were thrown.

Nick Thau made the first pitch to his mom, Christy and then the reason, the purpose and the dream became a reality – DreamCatcher park was officially open for business.

cos_dcp_collage.jpgThe first game was two innings with a mash-up of teams from City of Surprise and the City of Peoria (special thanks to Jackie Stanley!) and while I might find the words, these pictures tell the story pretty well. What they miss are the tears, the ear to ear smiles and the feelings of warmth and love that flowed in, around and through the park. From the players, to the buddies, the coaches and to the fans and then back again, there could not have been a better day than today.

This evening Paul Frei sent an email thanking the a number of people, but I’ll stand up and suggest the real thanks go to Paul, the City of Surprise and all of the people who came up with the phrase “Building A City Beyond Expectations” – thank you to you, the City of Surprise for the courage and vision that goes into making a project like this a reality.

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City of Surprise Grand Opening of Dreamcatcher Park

March 23, 2007 at 11:32 pm · Filed under League Development, League Visability

medium_champagne_pop_1136067689.jpgThe years of hoping, wanting, waiting, and wishing will be over soon – Arizona will have a special needs baseball facility beginning March 24, 2007 at 10:30A.  WWWAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOO!!!!!! Pop the cork on the champagne….

The journey to this point has been sometimes ardous, sometimes blessed and always amazing.  After hbovid.jpgseeing the Real Sports segment Frank Deford did on Miracle League, Mike McGuire and Ken Staudenmayer asked a number of us to a meeting in Ken’s living room.  We wondered and talked about the viability of building a Miracle League field in Scottsdale.  Scottsdale provided a site first and we’re still hoping and trying to raise the funds to build that field (so think about getting a shirt or hat in our on-line store at CafePress - nickles matter…) 

We had some progress, but one day Paul Frie asked if we might talk more with City of Surprise, to see where the mloaz_cos_launch_paul_meeting.jpgconnections might be.  From there to here, we’ve always been available to support the City of Surprise effort – and now it’s here.

Last night the first flight of players, buddies and coaches met at the library.  We move there due to the wonderful rain that came in late yesterday.  Less people than we had hoped, more than enough to get the league going.  Paul conducted the meeting and here’s what he shared regarding the event on Saturday -

  • 10A – Ceremonies begin - expecting the Mayor of Surprise and dignitaries from stakeholders and the people who made the dream possible – the Surprise Sundancers especially.
  • 10:30A First pitch / pitches and then innings of lots of fun and a dream caught in flight – Dreamcatcher Park is born.

Here’s what Paul shared with us regarding operations form the first season Practices are Tuesdays or Thursdays evenings and starting April 1st, games every Saturday at 6:30P under the lights.  The inaugural season is eight (8) weeks.

collage1.jpgLastly, athletes were handed uniforms for the first two teams – the Rangers and the Royals, who’s big league counterparts conduct spring training across the street.  Coaches were appointed; ‘Buddy’ Dunn and Christy Thau and then we all went over to view the new field – a little wet from the rain, but still amazing (you can see the pictures here).

So now the field is here, opening day is around the corner and YOU, your special needs athlete and all the buddies can play baseball… let the blessings of heaven rain down on ALL our children…. AND PLAY BALL!!!!

(By The Way – teams are STILL open – come signup at the Miracle League table on Saturday)

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Truly a ‘Field of Dreams’ – Register Now

March 5, 2007 at 3:01 am · Filed under League Visability, Miracle Fields

dreamcatcher_constructionsign.jpgI visited the field in Surprise today.  There was a Rangers Spring Training game going on across the street – baseball was in the air.  As I walked the field today, I saw a kite floating and thought of Miracle League players spirits soaring at the field in upcoming games.

dreamcatcher_field.jpgThe field is coming along great.  It looks like they have the rubberized surface down and it’s being colored to match a ball field.  Much of the accent colors have been applied and the buildings are almost ready for a finishing coat.

In my minds eye, I saw the players rounding the bases, the parents watching their kids play a game of baseball – some perhaps for the first time ever!

I sat in the stands and I thought about why I and the board do this.  For me, I do not have a special needs child or adult in my life – I have been blessed with three wonderful kids, all without special needs and my parents passed on last year.  I do however accept our place in this world and that we all have a role to play.  One of the lessons I want my children to have is that of having and making friends with others different than themselves – Miracle League can provide that and much, much more. 

When I see our first player Nic and his mom, Chrissy and their enthusiasm, I know this is the right work for me and that this is the right time to be doing it.

from-the-outfield.jpg 

The field is here (well, almost) and we’re signing up players – we look forward to seeing you all there.  Sign up your players now for the first ever season.  We’re taking paperwork for players from 5 to 20.  Check the ‘Registration Forms’ page

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Event Info for CoS BB/ML Inagural Season is Coming!

March 1, 2007 at 11:20 pm · Filed under League Visability

Somedays doing this is a blast – I received a call from a parent yesterday who had recieved my phone number.  After we greeted one another she began the conversation by saying ‘…my son has autism and he wants to play baseball.”

I gave a chuckle and said ‘…and we want him to play baseball’.  I directed her to this website and the ‘registration forms’ section where you can download both the player and volunteer registration info for the City of Surprise Buddy Ball / Miracle League opening this month.  I really like the feeling I get talking about this and what it will mean to the community for years to come.

We’ve been talking with Paul Frie and his team out at CoS (that shorthand for ‘City of Surprise’) and it sounds like they are coming up with a bunch of activities for opening day on March 24. While we do not have all the details, it is looking lke a day full of fun for the players and families – rumors have a cookout, a dedication ceremony, a game and then over to the Texas Rangers to watch the team sure off against the Oakland A’s at 1P. 

All I can say is to register now and let’s get out there for a great time!

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