My Forsyth _ Spring 2023

FORSYTH COUNTY SPECIAL
NEEDS COMMUNITY PLAYS
By Larry Brown
“The Miracle League of Cumming-Forsyth provides physically
and mentally challenged children and adults a safe and
spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a
baseball field – just like anyone else. Miracle League offers
a unique and memorable opportunity the participants would
not otherwise have,”...the league’s mission statement.
However, the origin of the Cumming-Forsyth league dates back to
1998. According to the Miracle League website, Rockdale Youth
Baseball Association coach Eddie Bagwell invited the first child
with a disability to play baseball on his team. Michael, a seven-yearold
child in a wheelchair, had attended every game and practice,
while cheering on his five-year-old brother. Later other children
with disabilities were invited to play in the baseball complex of the
county Youth Baseball Association.
With thousands of children in metro Atlanta with disabilities not
able to participate in team sports, the dream of building a unique
baseball complex for special children was conceived. And the
Miracle League was formed so that children with disabilities could
have the chance to play baseball. The Rotary Clubs of Rockdale
County and Conyers formed the Rotary Miracle League Fund, Inc.,
a 501 (c) 3 organization.
With the help of community volunteers and corporations, the
design and construction of the first Miracle League complex
began. It would include a custom-designed field with a cushioned
rubberized surface to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible
dugouts, and a flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchairbound
or visually impaired players.
The first of its kind Miracle League special field broke ground on
December 31, 1999, and the complex was completed in April 2000.
On opening day, the Miracle League rosters had grown to over 120
players. By spring 2002, over 270 players filled the rosters.
In 2004, Colonel Carroll Edge (U.S. Army, retired) and his wife
Judy, of Forsyth County, came across Miracle League through a
magazine article about the original Miracle League field in Conyers.
At the time, Col. Edge was a member of the local Lions Club, and
their group was looking for a project. After his presentation to
the club about the Miracle League, a coalition of private citizens,
corporate supporters, and Forsyth County officials was able to build
the Miracle League of Cumming-Forsyth baseball field at Coal
Mountain Park. Members of several civic groups such as Civitans,
Kiwanis, Optimists, Rotary, and Jaycees were instrumental in
the fundraising and development. While the new field was being
constructed, the league played its first two seasons on a traditional
dirt field at Coal Mountain Park. The new specially modified field
opened there in 2006.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognized Col. Edge
for his work with the Cumming-Forsyth Miracle League and the
special needs community. And they named a new Miracle League
field, coming to Lanierland Park in spring 2023, the Col. Carroll &
Judy Edge Field.
“The reason the idea took off was that baseball is America’s game
and all kids should have a chance to play the game,” said Steve
Kirby, president of the Cumming-Forsyth County Miracle League.
“The initial idea was that the league was for kids, but as the idea
came together, the group realized that there were adults in the
community who also deserved the opportunity to play. Our players
run in age from 4 to late 60s. They are generally grouped based on
age and hitting skills to ensure the safety of all players. Each player
has a ‘buddy’ during the game to protect and engage the player.
These buddies come from local schools (sports/cheerleading/
academic clubs), churches, and other civic groups.
“We play seven Saturdays in the spring and the same amount in the
fall each year,” Kirby continued. “We currently have 12 teams with
10-12 players per team, and we plan to expand to 14 teams when
the new field opens next year. We have had as many as 145 players
in a season and believe that we have had over 500 different players
in our history. A few of the original players continue to play today.
00 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME XII | ISSUE 1