The Miracle League of Southwestern PA

Mike Sherry had a first-hand opportunity to view a Miracle League field in use in Alabama. Paired with non-disabled buddies, Miracle League team members are children who have various disabilities. As he watched these children play, laugh and cheer – he knew he was watching something very special.

A few years later, Sherry coached his 7-year-old son Tanner’s baseball team. A parent asked the Cranberry Township Athletic Association if they could make an exception for her son so that he could hit off of a tee, since he had a disability. Sherry became inspired by the question, and felt that no parent should ever have to ask that question. Though he and the other coaches in the league were willing to make the exception for the little boy, Sherry wondered why there wasn't a place where exceptions didn’t need to be granted.

He thought about the Miracle League he watched a couple of years ago. Inspired, Sherry was determined to make sure that children using wheel chairs, crutches and walkers could round the bases of a base ball field just like any other child.

“That’s when all of the memories of the past cam rushing back and I realized I needed to build a field --- a Miracle League field,” Sherry said.

A resident of the Avery’s Field neighborhood in Cranberry Township, Sherry’s own 5-year-old daughter, Jordan, was diagnosed with autism. He and his wife, Chris, don't know if Jordan will need special exceptions should she share Tanner’s love of baseball, but they are glad to know she’ll have the opportunity to play if she desires to do so.

Sherry spends his time spearheading an effort designed to provide a place where children with disabilities can play organized baseball – the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He also remains active in the CranberryTownship Athletic Association as a little league coach.

Sherry approached Cranberry officials, and they agreed to dedicate space in the new Graham Park for development of a Miracle League field.

“The need for this field is not only based on the number of kids in Cranberry and Butler County that have mental or physical disabilities, but all of the kids in southwestern Pennsylvania,” Sherry said. “So many times throughout these kids’ lives they are told no. Well, we’re here to say – yes. Yes, you can.”

“We cannot change or cure the medical issues life has dealt disabled children. But what we can do is provide them with an opportunity to experience the joy and benefits that come from playing baseball,” Sherry said.

Sherry said there is a quote he likes to reference that sums up all that the Miracle League encompasses – “What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.”