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The Miracle League of the Palm Beach County founder Julia Kadel called opening day in the Delray Beach-based league for special needs athletes “another soul-satisfying Saturday.”
Despite the constant threat of rain and lightning that would wash away the opening day ceremonies on Sept. 25, the league was able to begin its 29th season at Anthony V. Pugliese V field at Miller Park in Delray Beach.
“Opening Day in Delray Beach was miraculous,” said Kadel, who founded the league with her husband Jeff in 2005. The league began play in 2007 and will play two seasons a year. Palm Beach Gardens began play last year and this is their third season. Both seasons will last eight weeks.
Dinah Ruvolo, of Lake Worth, right, is helped by her buddy of three years, Julia Aronberg, of Boca Raton, during the opening day ceremony of the Miracle League of Palm Beach County at Anthony V. Pugliese V field at Miller Park in Delray Beach. (Stephen Greene/Courtesy)
“In true South Florida form, the afternoon clouds rolled in and the sky opened up,” said Kadel, a Delray Beach resident. “Many volunteers who were starting to set up for the fall 2021 season were not only getting drenched but took cover when the lightening started; but in true Miracle League form, just when the games were about to start, the clouds rolled away and the sun shined down on our 70 athletes with special needs. We don’t call it a ‘miracle field’ for nothing.
The Delray Beach Police Department came with its ice cream truck and entertained everyone in attendance. The St. Vincent Vikings choir came out to sing the national anthem.
“Both groups welcomed our players on the field,” Kadel said. “They cheered them on while everyone hit a home run and witnessed miracles in the making.”
In the Delray Beach league, there are four teams composing 70 athletes and one cheerleading squad. There are also about 100 volunteers and buddies. They are still growing the Palm Beach Gardens league that consists of two teams (30 athletes) and 25 volunteers/buddies.
Kadel said she is happy to be back on the diamond playing and said the families are too. She is humbled by the support.
The Delray Beach Police Department came out to support the Miracle League of Palm Beach County opening day ceremonies. Cole Gottlieb, of Lake Worth, and Assistant Police Chief Darrell Hunter at Anthony V. Pugliese V field at Miller Park in Delray Beach. (Stephen Greene/Courtesy)
“The love and gratitude we have received from the parents have been overwhelming,” she said. “They all have been so appreciative to get their children back with their friends and their baseball buddies. The smiles say it all and as one mom put it, ‘she’s back in her happy place.’”
Kadel also said that the pandemic has taken its toll on families and said it is nice to get back to some semblance of order.
“This past year has been difficult for all of us, but when COVID-19 forced us to cancel our seasons, the Miracle League players were devastated,” she said. “Their special Saturdays — the ones where they get to hit home runs and run the bases in front of a cheering crowd — were taken from them, and it was nearly impossible to try and explain what was happening.
“The dream of future games seemed farther and farther away,” Kadel said. “But we are not in the business of letting dreams die. In fact, we are determined to keep the dream alive and continue the Miracle League mission intact: Every child deserves to play baseball.”
Jen Gottlieb can’t say enough about what the program has meant to her 12-year-old son, Cole, who has cerebral palsy. He has played in the Miracle League since he was 4.
“Miracle League has helped him tremendously,” said Gottlieb, of Lake Worth. “He’s able to go out and play a physical sport and get out on his walker and get out in the community. He also gets to see his friends with different abilities that he may not see regularly and it is great for his self-esteem as well.”
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Gottlieb said Cole is more than ready when it comes time to leave and play in the league.
“He is very excited to go, to see friends, and just to be out there,” she said. “It is so important for his disability to be active and to have a sport that he can play and to see that.”
Gottlieb said the pandemic has taken its toll on the families of special needs children. In addition to the on-the-field product, Miracle League also gave families an opportunity to network.
Sandy Harris, of Port Saint Lucie, helps Madeleine Ford, of Lake Worth, during the opening day ceremony of the Miracle League of Palm Beach County at Anthony V. Pugliese V field at Miller Park in Delray Beach. (Stephen Greene/Courtesy)
“It was difficult,” Gottlieb said. “It was hard. It was last spring that the season had to be on hold and it was heartbreaking for the kids for them to get out there and be physical with their friends, not to mention the families. That was the whole thing. We weren’t allowed to be together.
“As a parent with a child with special needs, I felt like there was a disconnect,” she said. “The other great thing about Miracle League is we get to talk and cheer the kids on together. Not only our family, but the other families are so grateful for Julia and Jeff Kadel and what they and their family have been doing for the last 15 years to help our kids and bring joy and happiness to them.”
