COLUMBUS, Ohio — In its 16th season, Miracle League is bringing smiles to kids' faces each Saturday this summer. The baseball league is for kids with disabilities to give them a chance to play. But after not playing last year due to the pandemic, this year is extra sweet.

​​Miracle League pulls all the stops for kids like Emily Dudley who’s been in the league since she was just five years old.

“It makes her feel like she is also part of something," said Joanna Dudley, Emily's mom. "Not only is it fun for her, but it makes her have something to look forward to every week.”

Each player has their own buddy, who makes sure each kid's needs are met. Carter Holden has been Emily’s buddy for the past three years.

“It’s been a great experience just to get to play with all these kids, help them out and play baseball,” Holden said.

Emily’s mom said Holden has made Emily feel like she belongs.

“Emily is non-verbal so communication with her is very tricky, yet Carter talks to her," Joanna said. "He treats her as if she was his sister and does not ignore her.”

Emily is just one of over a record 240 players this year, thanks in part to not playing last year.

“For Emily, she is one that definitely strives for routine. She remembers everything," Joanna said. "So, the continuous asking of when are we going to play was challenging.”

“People want them to play baseball. That they’ve given them the opportunity is a great thing,” Holden said.

Over 400 volunteers make games happen each Saturday, including coach and dad Marc Chesnes. Chesnes has coached his son, Charlie, for several years and said it’s been a great way for his son to have something that he can claim as his own.

“It’s just been great for him to just have a friend that’s separate from school or anything else that we do at home," Chesnes said.

Chesnes also helps pitch to his team. Making sure each pitch is a hit. The league ensures each player hits and scores each inning. And of course, each game ends in a tie.

Chesnes said after years involved in the league, he can’t imagine life without it.

“If Charlie all of a sudden, some miracle and he didn’t have to use a wheelchair, I think we’d still be part of Miracle League after getting to know the people that are a part of this league," Chesnes said.

He said he hopes these weekly games make these kids feel like they have a place to belong.

“Kids maybe have brothers or sisters that are in sports and things like that in their school and maybe they’re excluded from that. Here, it’s all about them," Chesnes said.

“It really is one of a kind," Joanna said. "We treasure the fact that she’s able to participate.”