Helena exploring options for Miracle League baseball field

Published 4:14 pm Thursday, March 2, 2017

By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The city of Helena is exploring its options to make way for a 125-foot baseball field for the Helena Miracle League project, an organization that allows every child a chance to play the game of baseball.

The Miracle League is trying to bring a league to Helena and the plan is to raise funds entirely through donations over a two-year period for the new field and other amenities.

The Helena Miracle League’s mission is to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League Baseball, regardless of their abilities, promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues and promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.

The city of Helena will be working with the Helena Miracle League organization in the coming months to find a plot of land roughly 2.5 acres that would include the 125-foot baseball field, ADA accessible restrooms, a pavilion area, concession stand and a disability accessible parking lot.

The volunteers with the Helena Miracle League organization have a two-year plan that includes matching funds from grants and the league hopes to raise target funds of $691,000 in different tiers to complete the project. The goal is to start playing baseball in two years once all the fundraising goals are met.

Other alternative uses for the field will include visits from nursing home members for exercise, kickball, soccer and Special Olympics events.

“Excited about the possibilities as plans develop for a new Miracle League Field in Helena,” Helena Mayor Mark Hall posted on his Facebook page. “Please follow Mary Chambliss and her dedicated volunteers as they work to make this happen! The field will be built entirely from donations and volunteer efforts. Let’s work to make it happen!”

The Helena Miracle League has scheduled their first fundraiser as the inaugural Dude Looks Like a Lady Womanless Beauty Pageant fundraiser on April 1 at 6 p.m., at the Helena Sports Complex with all proceeds going to the league.

The league is looking for men volunteers to enter the fundraiser as soon as possible.

For more information on the Helena Miracle League, visit Facebook.com/HMLAngels or Helenamiracleleague.com.