Everyone deserves a chance to play baseball

WHY PLAY?

The Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley Panhandle is an  inclusive program that provides the opportunity for individuals, starting from the age of 5 and up, to learn the fundamentals of baseball and to play baseball. The Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley Panhandle serves not only individuals with special needs but also their families, friends, and support staff.  The tri-county community of players, families, and volunteers work together toward a common mission: to provide the opportunity for individuals of all abilities the chance to learn and play the game of baseball.

THE BENEFITS OF PLAYING

• Making friendships and interacting socially with peers.
• Participating in a program that promotes physical activity and a spirit of encouragement.
• Developing relationships, beyond your network of support, with coaches and members of the extended community.

RULES FOR PLAYING

• HAVE FUN!
• Games played at the Miracle League Field at Belleview Park, Steubenville, OH 43952
• The Miracle League Field has a poured in place rubberize all weather surface that is wheelchair accessible.
• The Miracle League season consists of a spring session and fall session.
• The spring session consists of 6 games from mid-May to late June.
• The fall session consists of 6 games from September to mid-October.
• Every effort will be made to makeup cancelled games due to weather.

Organization of Players

Miracle Division (non-competitive) - Everyone hits, runs the bases, scores, games end in a tie

• Youth (5-12 years old) - MLB team names to be assigned prior to the start of the season
• Teen (13-20 years old) - MLB team names to be assigned prior to the start of the season
• Adult (18+ years old) - MLB team names to be assigned prior to the start of the season

Advanced Skills Division (competitive) - We teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and some baseball rules and skills. Outs can happen (no strikeouts).  Games can end in a win or a loss.  Teams practice once a week.  Although we keep score, the results don't matter and we don't keep standings.

• Youth/Teen (10-20 years old) - MLB team names to assigned prior to the start of the season
• Adult (18+ years old) - MLB team names to be assigned prior to the start of the season

Basic Differences between leagues:

Miracle Divisions

• Everyone hits
• Everyone scores
• There are no outs
• All games end in a tie
• Players are in the field while other teams hit, but defense is not a priority
• 2 inning games (1 hour)
• We have "Buddies" to help players
• Coaches Pitch though batting tees and specialty equipment are available 

Advanced Skills Divisions

• We play with baseball rules so outs are recorded. Innings are either 3 outs or 5 runs scored.
• 4 inning games
• Games can end in win, loss, or tie
• We still don't have strike outs, but you can get out if the defense makes a play, catches the ball, tags you out, etc.
• Players play defensive positions
• Coaches Pitch