For two and a half years, they waited for a miracle. On Saturday, more than 50 children from across Northwest Georgia found that miracle in Whitfield County’s Westside Park.
County officials held the ribbon cutting on the Miracle Field, a special synthetic baseball/softball field for those who with physical or mental disabilities. And four teams of children broke in the field with its first games. They were cheered on by hundreds of family members, friends and community members.
“This park will make us a better people, and these kids will make us a better community,” said Whitfield County Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Babb.
Peyton Hicks, 12, threw out the first pitch to start the first game, smiling as the ball crossed home plate.
“That was an amazing moment,” said her mother Millie, a member of the Miracle League Advisory Board. “She was nine when we started this project. She has been waiting very patiently, but she was very excited, not just to throw the first pitch, but to see this park and this field open.”
A Miracle Field is a synthetic/rubberized turf that allows people in wheelchairs and walkers to glide across it and not get stuck in the usual infield dirt. The bases are painted onto the field — not raised — to allow players to move over them. There are also special rules. Every player bats once an inning, all base runners are safe and both teams win every game. The league also pairs players with “buddies” who help them.
A group of students from Christian Heritage School volunteered as buddies on Saturday.
According to officials with the company that made the field, there are just 15 Miracle Fields in Georgia. The closest one is in Rome.
“We intended this thing to be a regional facility, not just for Whitfield County. As it gets better known, we expect it will be used frequently and by people from all over this area,” said Whitfield County Board of Commissioners member Gordon Morehouse.
The facility, which includes a handicap-accessible playground, covered pavilion for spectators and plenty of handicapped parking, was made possible, in part by a $100,000 federal grant and some $250,000 in donations from the community.
The Mohawk Industries Foundation, Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and North Georgia Electrical Membership Corp. provided significant donations. Paul Byrum’s Bluegrass Bands Helping Hands released a CD and held a concert to raise money, and hundreds of people from across Whitfield County kicked in time and money to make the Miracle Field a reality.
“It is wonderful to have a community like that. They really pull together for things like this, and when you see the looks on the faces of all these children, you know that it’s worth it,” said Houston Valley Road resident Kristen Weaver, who had brought her son Trayton Terry, 6, to play in the first games.
The Miracle Field is just the first stage of the 100-acre Westside Park. Officials plan eventually to build four regulation ball fields, picnic tables and a walking path around the lake, but that all depends on funding.
Westside resident Jane George said she can’t wait for those additions.
“I know money is tight and it will take some time, but this is a beautiful place, and they can really have something here if they do it right,” she said.
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Related Photos
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Gavin McGinnis smiles and pumps his fists as Evan Townsend carries him around the bases after Gavin scored a hit Saturday at Miracle Field. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
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September 16, 2012
The Miracle on Mount Vernon Road
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