For the last 125 years, summer at YMCAs has been all about summer camp. For many young Americans, summer also means watching and playing “America’s Pastime,” the great sport of baseball. Unfortunately, for many young boys and girls with disabilities, playing baseball is little more than a dream.

Dreams can come true! In the spring of 1999, the Miracle League was formed, promoting that all children should have the chance to play baseball. Now, in 2012, the Miracle League is coming to Charlotte, North Carolina. The University City YMCA is the newest Miracle League site, scheduled to open this fall. We couldn’t be more excited!

“The University YMCA has always been committed to being accessible, so the specialized field felt like the next step,” says Matt Fitzwater, University City YMCA Operations Director. “It’s important that kids with disabilities have activities in the community. It’s important for their parents to get together, too.”

And that’s what Miracle League will do. The nearest Miracle League site is in South Carolina, so the program will be the only of its kind in the Greater Charlotte area. Fitzwater expects the program to draw participants from upwards of 60 miles away.

The League has some unique rules that ensure all participants are able to enjoy the game. Here are the rules:

> Each team has 15 players

> Each player has a “buddy” that helps them throughout the game.

> Each player hits each inning, last player to bat hits a home run. No outs.

> Each game is 2 innings long.

The University City YMCA’s league will open registration for the fall in mid-july, which will run through August 27. Registration for players is $35/child, and scholarships are available. Parents will be able to register online at ymcamiracleleague.org (coming soon). Fitzwater shared that the league hopes to split children up into age-appropriate groups, if possible. The season will kick off with a grand opening on September 8.

Miracle League won’t be possible without the help of volunteers. We’ll need “buddies,” coaches, umpires and even help running the snack bar. If you’d like to volunteer or have questions about Miracle League, you can contact Mel Verburg at 704-716-6705.

Of course, Fitzwater knows that Miracle League is about much more than helping kids play baseball. “Baseball isn’t even what’s going on. It’s kids making friends and having fun… baseball is just the activity.”