Miracle League celebrates 20 seasons
For the past two decades, one woman has made it her mission to keep the hits coming year after year at the Miracle League in Little Rock.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — If you ever drive down Cantrell during the summer and hear the cheers from Junior Deputy, you may think there’s a giant party at the ballpark— and you’re right!
For two decades it’s been one woman’s mission to make sure the hits keep coming year after year for the Miracle League in Little Rock.
Soon the bitter February cold will leave and make way for another baseball season.
“It’s so great because they’re so excited to be back with their teammates and their coaches,” said Director Peggy McCall-Robertson.
She said at Miracle League they have three simple rules.
“Everybody has fun, nobody gets hurt, and there’s no judgment.”
In 2005 Peggy was inspired by a Miracle League in Georgia, so she partnered with the Little Rock Rotary Club to form a community on Cantrell.
“I had an idea, and I got some people around me, and we pulled it off. I mean I never thought I’d do anything like this but I’m the luckiest person in the world,” she explained.
What has transpired over two decades is a feeling of belonging, not just for the kids but for their parents as well.
“They’ve gone through their life with our players who are the most amazing people in the world,” she said. “However, they are misunderstood by so many in the general population. It’s just such a nice space for our parents to just be a parent.”
As the league celebrates 20 years in the capital city, they’ve still got players and coaches from that very first season coming out to the ballpark.
“All I have to say is if you want to come out here and volunteer or you want to be a coach or engage somehow. Think about it seriously because you may be a lifer,” Peggy said. “I can wake up every day knowing that I’m doing a great thing only because of the people around me that make it happen. I just stir the pot and poke around and find people that can love our players and our families. Try to get them engaged because this is a very magical and special bubble.”
If you would like to donate or volunteer with Miracle League of Arkansas, click here.