I couldn't stop smiling. It simply wasn't possible. I am standing in right field, shouting "Go go! You can do it!" the sun is beating down, but the slight breeze makes it feel so good. There's the pitch! A swing. . .and yet another miss, but no one seems to care.
Again the pitcher lobs the ball in a deliberately slow arch. Before the ball comes near, the batter has already swung and missed, yet shouts of encouragement fill the air. The black rubber tee comes out. The bat comes at the ball, it wobbles off the tee and toward the pitcher. The crowd erupts, clapping and cheering ring out. The pitcher kicks the ball backwards to the waiting gloves of the infielders behind him.
The batter makes his way to first base, his gait uneven, but sure. He has his hands up in the air and the biggest smile on his face. Tears blur my eyes as I look around. What I see is almost impossible to describe with words but for me it was familiar: the excitement filled chaos of a Challengers baseball game.
There is a little boy running around the outfield simply enjoying the way his shadow darts after him in the early evening sun. There is another little boy wheeling about in his wheel chair, playing without a glove, catching and throwing wayward balls without a hint of fear. Other players stand or sit in the field, cheering on their teammates. The announcer pokes fun at the pitcher and the players around me giggle.
Suddenly, from the corner of my eye I see a player come at me, her baseball hat in one hand and her glove in the other. She'd just scored, making sure to hop onto each 'plate' as she rounded the bases. I gather her in a big hug as she shouts, "I did it! I did it!" Before I even set her down she's already on her way to get high fives and congratulatory hugs from her parents standing on the sidelines, their smiles as big as hers.
This wasn't just a typical Challengers game, it was the dedication ceremony and inaugural game for the new Fargo/Moorhead Miracle Field. A field specifically created for those who aren't your average ball players! There may be no grass or dusty red dirt on this field, but none of the players mind. The green, white and red special rubber turf made to resemble a baseball field works even better for wheel chairs and crutches and the smaller dimensions make fielding, running and batting a lot more accessible and fun!
Thank God for this community, for those who have donated and invested countless hours, money and hard work to see this dream come true. It truly is a "miracle" field because every time it's used miracles will happen! I am so blessed and honored to be a part of it and I encourage everyone to come out and see a game for themselves. Not only will your cheering brighten and inspire the players, but you will leave brightened and inspired too!
(Here's a recipe from my mom that would probably feed a team of hungry baseball players and was always a 'hit' with Dad and me! Enjoy!)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pkg. thick cut hickory smoked bacon
- 12 ounce can baked beans
- 1 pound baby Yukon gold or favorite potatoes
- 1 medium Vidalia or yellow onion
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Dice onion, cut bacon into 3/4 inch pieces and slice potatoes. In a large pot or electric frying pan, add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes adding onions when beef begins to brown. While ground beef is cooking, add bacon to heated skillet and cook until crispy. Drain about 1/2 bacon drippings, but leave enough to fully coat potatoes. Add potatoes, season with salt and pepper and continue cooking. When ground beef is no longer pink, drain all juices from pot and add baked beans, bacon and potatoes. Season with garlic and chili powder and add salt and pepper, if needed. Cook until mixture is hot and potatoes are fully cooked.
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