Greyhounds Take Time to Work with Miracle League
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Members of the Moravian College baseball team spent Saturday, September 14 working with the Miracle League of Northampton County at Miracle League Field at the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township, and the squad will be returning to work with the children again this Saturday, September 21.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Members of the Moravian College baseball team spent Saturday, September 14 working with the Miracle League of Northampton County at Miracle League Field at the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township, and the squad will be returning to work with the children again this Saturday, September 21.
The Miracle League has a mission to provide an opportunity for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities to play baseball at a facility that meets the unique needs of the players and their families.
Head Coach Paul Engelhardt, who is entering his eighth season at Moravian this year, took a group of coaches and players last Saturday to work out with those involved in the Miracle League. The Greyhounds were eager to give back to the community and to assist in a league such as this, especially being related to baseball.
"Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are to be healthy and in a college setting," said Engelhardt. "I am hopeful that our Moravian baseball players learned valuable lessons about what is important, and how just a little thing like giving time, can mean so much for these young kids who just want to be involved and play a game.
"For me personally, I enjoyed watching all the smiles on not only the Miracle League kids faces, but my own players faces," continued Engelhardt. "My players never cease to amaze me at how fortunate I am to have such great kids involved with our Moravian Baseball program, and our Moravian College community."
Here are some reactions from players that attended last Saturday:
Junior outfielder Justin Pilchman – "It was a different feel toward community service. I had a chance to give back to something that I love and have done my entire life. Being able to see people less fortunate than myself enjoy such a loveable game gave me a better perspective on life as a whole."
Senior pitcher Tommy Mariano – "Working one-on-one with the kids was great. The kids were so grateful just to run and be on the field. I am so happy I had the chance to work with these great kids and a wonderful organization such as the Miracle League."
Senior pitcher Jason Jamula – "I think the day was really special as we got to see how fortunate we are but at the same time see the kids just enjoying baseball and having fun, not caring about results or outcome but just having a great time with all of us who definitely learned to appreciate the game more from our day with them."
Senior pitcher Robert Solano – "The Miracle League was a good time. I went there expecting to help out some kids but I left feeling that they helped me out more and gave me a different perspective on things."
Click here to see a photo gallery of the Greyhounds at the Miracle League.
