NSU Baseball Team Makes Difference with Miracle League
NSU has now been involved with organization for past decade
By: Jameson Carter | Nova Southeastern University Athletic Communications
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Continuing to leave its mark both on the field and in the community, the Nova Southeastern baseball team recently hit the diamond with members of the West Pines Miracle League, in what has become one of the squad's most anticipated events of the year.
The Miracle League presents an opportunity for children with mental and/or physical challenges, who would otherwise be unable to participate with their healthy peers, to play baseball. The organization sprouted in the Atlanta metropolitan area in 1998, and has since been making dreams come true in 275 leagues across the nation and the globe, with new chapters popping up in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Australia. The Miracle League serves over 200,000 disabled young people, and receives support from 22 Major League Baseball clubs and several current and former players and coaches.
Former baseball head coach, and current Director of Athletics
Mike Mominey initiated the partnership at the time of the program's inception a decade ago and has since witnessed the growth of the relationship between both groups.
"I had the great privilege to be involved in the early initiatives alongside the founders of this great local community engagement program," Mominey said. "I was approached by a local mutual friend, local executives from Joe DiMaggio hospital and council members from the city of Pembroke Pines. These relationships converted into action items in order to receive grant funding to build a baseball facility that would house the program at Rose G. Price Park. This was really the birth of the league and the tipping point to establish this now very popular and well-known community program. From there, the program was publicized and, today, every Friday night there can be up to 50 young boys and girls participating in this wonderful baseball program."
Taking over the reins of the NSU baseball program six years ago,
Greg Brown made it a point to sustain the special relationship and has maintained his role as facilitator ever since. The furthered bond has not only impacted the children within the Miracle League itself, but also opened the eyes of a number of the Sharks players including catcher
Jake Anchia and starting pitcher
Jonny Ortiz.
"Honestly, it's a humbling experience," said Anchia. "Coming out here on these Friday nights and seeing all these kids playing their hearts out, doing all they can, is really heart-warming."
"It's just awesome," Ortiz added. "We get to come out here and just give back. It's a nice feeling seeing the little guys smiling and looking up to you as a role model. Any chance we get to come out here and do this, and just hang out for a little bit is something I like to take advantage of."
The West Pines Miracle League is always looking for volunteers from the entire community. For more information, please visit
WPPOMiracleLeague.com.