Balls Fly, Hearts Soar at Cumming-Forsyth County Miracle League

Established in 2005, the Cumming-Forsyth County (CFC) Miracle League recruits volunteer buddies to help players with disabilities play baseball. Per the league’s website, every player hits, scores, and wins every inning. Since 2006, the CFC Miracle League played on this field at Coal Mountain Park.

On Aug. 19 Forsyth County Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills cut the ribbon for the phase two expansion of Lanierland Park. The expansion included a new field for the CFC Miracle League which was named the Col. Carrol and Judy Edge Field.

Col. Edge is a founding member of the CFC Miracle League and has been on the board of directors since the league’s inception. Before every game, Edge leads one of the players out to present the colors for the National Anthem; a tradition he continued at the celebratory exhibition game after the ribbon cutting.

The CFC Miracle League’s 2023 fall season kicked off on Sept. 9 with some technical difficulties. The announcer and audio man struggled to find and play the National Anthem track, so Pirates player Julianne Howell stepped up and led everyone with her own rendition of the anthem.

When asked about her singing ability and bravery after the game, Howell said, “It’s a God-given talent.” Her mom said she has had experience in several choruses and choirs, but Julianne’s spirit epitomizes that of the Miracle League.

The league’s 15 teams this season, a record-high for the CFC Miracle League, were determined mostly by ability and are separated into two unofficial divisions. For instance, the Cubs and Pirates players are generally more capable of hitting, running and fielding with less buddy assistance. Regardless of ability, and much like traditional rec baseball, good sportsmanship is encouraged with post-game handshakes.

The Marlins and Cardinals are on the other side of the league’s ability spectrum, fielding both younger players and players with more challenging disabilities. League President and Pirates Coach Steve Kirby, pictured left of center in a yellow #13 jersey, advised the announcer not to tell Evan, a blind player on the Cardinals team, to keep his eye on the ball, musing that he did that once while announcing and was reprimanded by another Cardinals player. Kirby, of course, knew of Evan’s blindness, but it is an easy mistake to make when rooting for the players as hard as he and other parents do.

Buddies help players on defense as well as hit and run the bases on offense. Some players understand what’s happening more than others, but the announcer and scoreboard are critical components for player motivation. “We play two innings. Everybody gets a hit, everybody scores a run and the score is always tied,” said Col. Edge. "But if that scoreboard ain’t lit up, they don’t want to play."

Though his parents said he’s not as vocal or expressive as other children his age, Jaiden West, pictured above, was excited for his first at-bat. “I’m going to hit this all the way to Dahlonega,” West said. His parents did not hear him and, although they were surprised when they were told that he had said it, they weren't surprised by the quote itself. It didn't surprise them because of a small obsession Jaiden has had with Dahlonega ever since they first took him there when he was younger.

Spending one day volunteering or watching these players will show how they are wise beyond their years and determined to live their best lives. Harrison Munroe is very aware and open about his condition. “My right hand doesn’t work like my left hand,” Munroe informed his buddy during his first at-bat. Despite needing help swinging the bat, Harrison refused the assistance of a batting tee, opting for live tosses.

While the Miracle League’s mission is mostly aimed at helping children, the CFC Miracle League has players ranging in age from 4 to 65 years old. The league strives to provide an opportunity for kids to play baseball, connect with others and act like any other traditional kid, and the above image illustrates the program’s success.

The CFC Miracle League will continue making miracles come true each Saturday this fall through Oct. 28, the last day of games this season. For more information on the Cumming-Forsyth County Miracle League, check out their website at www.miracleleaguecfc.com. For anyone interested in volunteering for the league, queries can be made to cfcmiracleleague@gmail.com.