With youth baseball all-stars on a journey to next month’s Little League World Series, another field of dreams has been experienced locally by a group of special ballplayers.
Like similar programs across the country, the recently completed Miracle League-affiliated circuit in Pembroke Pines brought many smiles to the faces of youngsters at Rose G. Price Park.
There, about 600 people witnessed the Pembroke Pines Miracle League’s version of the World Series. From the dugout, coach and father Mario Salceda felt a special sense of pride.
Months earlier, Salceda and three colleagues from Memorial Healthcare System sat around his dining room table trying to figure out a way to start a league in which youngsters with special needs could participate in the national pastime.
With the support of city officials, $500,000 was allocated to build a rubber-turf field which would allow access for disabled children to enjoy their field of dreams. When Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital agreed to donate uniforms, the vision became reality.
“We wanted to give disabled kids the same opportunity as regular kids,” Salceda said.
So those with disorders ranging from cerebral palsy to Down syndrome and autism got that opportunity.
The national Miracle League organization operates under standard T-ball rules, which ensure that every player hits the ball. No outs are recorded.
Because of a major publicity effort, local and national companies donated everything from T-shirts to duffel bags in support of the league. Even a DJ showed up to play music. But when the opening day game showed up on the evening news this spring, the newly formed league really took off.
By midseason, more than 50 kids were taking part in the league. At least 30 of them showed up for each game on Friday nights.
“It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had,” Salceda said. “We never realized how much we would get back.”
Scores of area teens, including Salceda’s son Alec, got involved as partners for the kids. Many of them formed special bonds that transcended baseball. In fact Alec and player Daniel Estrada (who has cerebral palsy) became especially close.
Mario Salceda couldn’t be prouder.
“We have built a culture where kids in the community have the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives,” he said.
After the success of the 10-week season, Salceda realized he needed to have a World Series game that would blow opening day out of the water.
“Lots of people wanted to get on board for the game,” Salceda said.
Former Florida Marlins pitcher Al Leiter threw out the first pitch as mascot Billy the Marlin looked on. Hundreds of balloons were released into the air after the national anthem was sung, and the Nova Southeastern University baseball team paired up with the kids as assistants.
After the game, players were given trophies, baseball bags and personal baseball cards donated by area businesses. The NSU baseball team gave each player the jersey off their back, then asked Miracle League players for their autographs.
For more information on the league, go to
