Sports
Miracle League Field To Break Ground Aug. 8
Four years ago, fundraising efforts were started for a Miracle League field in Woodbury. That dream will soon take a big step toward becoming a reality.
The , Minnesota Utility Contractors Association and city joined forces four years ago to raise funds to build a Miracle League field.
Miracle League fields give kids with mental or physical challenges the opportunity to play baseball on a real field in an organized league.
The city announced today that a groundbreaking event is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Bielenberg Sports Center. Kids from the East Metro Miracle League, currently playing at the Woodbury sports complex, will be on hand to help celebrate.
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The total construction cost is estimated at more than $250,000, according to the city. The Woodbury Rotary Club, along with Miracle League of Minnesota, coordinated the majority of the fundraising efforts through numerous events and private donations.
Al Heneman, one of the original “team captains” in getting the field built, said that a miracle of sorts has started to occur in just the past few weeks.
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“A few weeks ago, we had a few Woodbury residents step forward with an outpouring of $10,000 to $20,000 in donations to help give us the final numbers needed to break ground on the field,” said Heneman.
According to Heneman, another group of graduates have stepped up to the plate and organized the Miracle Field fundraising event, set for Sept. 11 at the .
Wade Hanson, Tony Huot, Bil Dougherty, Bryan Nelson, DJ Troje, Ryan Warner and Mark Hargis formed a networking group called, TMN, and hope to raise the remaining funds necessary to put the finishing touches on the field.
“Although we have secured the funds to break ground and begin work on the field, there is still about $35,000 left to be raised. Our hopes are the fundraiser on September 11th at Bielenberg, we’ll help secure those funds,” Heneman said.
The new field is expected to be 90 percent complete yet this fall, saving only the rubber surfacing installation for next spring. Charlie Wilson, of the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association, is mobilizing equipment and human resources.
“We hope to get as much done on the field as possible like getting the blacktop cured and ready to settle throughout the winter,” said Heneman.
The blacktop needs to settle throughout the winter; come next spring, crews will make the necessary repairs to the blacktop.
“The soft cushion surface can’t be applied until the base is solid. We’ll have to wait until the spring temperatures are steady and not dropping below 45 fahrenheit at night before applying that surface,” Heneman said.
Once the Miracle League field is built in Woodbury, it will be the fourth quadrant in the Miracle League field network in the metro area. Currently, there are three Miracle League fields up and running in the metro area: , Minnetonka and Blaine. The Woodbury Miracle League field will serve the East metro and Western Wisconsin areas.
This past week, the Miracle League started playing on a softball field, next to the Miracle League field site at Bielenberg.
“We have about 49 kids (ages 3-16) playing once a week, and we had to turn kids away due to uniforms and the field not being multipurpose," Woodbury Recreation Supervisor Jodi Sauro said.
Miracle League fields are built with a special soft cushion rubberized surface that helps prevent injuries. There are also wheelchair accessible dugouts and completely flat surfaces with no barriers so even those with vision impairments can play.
“Currently, the softball field they’re playing on is dirt and gravel, but it works for this season,” said Sauro. “After the groundbreaking ceremony, we have a Miracle League game scheduled, so those who attend can see what the Miracle League is all about.”
Kevin Thorsen, with Minnesota Miracle League of Minnesota, said it has been a "long, long, haul to get the Woodbury field built.” People might not know that there are 80,000-plus kids in the state of Minnesota with disabilities, he said, and some kids are coming from 45-50 miles away just to play on a Miracle League field.
“I’m just thrilled for the kids that the Woodbury Jeff Hanson Miracle League field is finally going to happen,” said Thorsen.
The Miracle League is a national charitable organization that provides children with mental or physical challenges the opportunity to play baseball.
If you’re interested in donating to the Jeff Hanson Miracle Field in Woodbury, visit facebook.com/MiracleFieldWoodbury or call 651-735-2100.
Visit the Minnesota Miracle League at www.miracleleaguemn.com
