MEQUON, Wis. — Athletes from all over Wisconsin took to the field Kapco Park at Concordia University Wisconsin for the Miracle League All-Star Game.
David Todor is getting his 18-year-old son Zachary ready to play in the game.
“It’s a fun thing,” Todor said. “A lot of the kids like my son spend a lot of time in medical environments and hospitals and appointments and treatments and it’s great to have this little escape.”
Zachary’s team started the game on defense. Todor said Zachary is no stranger to the game of baseball.
“It’s the excitement of the area and seeing the other kids. He really gets a lot of excitement out of being around other kids, seeing them run around. So seeing him smile and laugh when he’s here playing a game, that’s the best part,” said Todor.
Leila Wright of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee explains the Miracle League is for kids or adults with neurological and/or physical disabilities.
“A lot of these kids are stuck watching their siblings play and not have an opportunity to play a sport they love and have been watching on their own, so miracle league gives them opportunity,” said Wright.
Brewers pitchers Brent Suter and Corbin Burnes also joined in on the action.
Suter said he is a big supporter of what the Miracle League does.
“These kids go through struggles day in and day out that we have no idea about but the fact that we can take them out on a Saturday morning and let them have a blast means a lot to them the parents and just the community in general so it’s really a special day, a real special program,” said Suter.
When Zachary’s team went up to bat, they were down 15. He helped the team rally back with a base hit.
“They have walk up music for them at times when they come out,” Todor said. “They play it like a regular baseball game. They line up. There is a batting order. They get announced. Everybody gets a hit. Nobody makes an out. Everybody scores. Everybody goes home happy at the end of the night.”
Zachary rounded the bases and scored.
For Todor, it’s experiences like these he hopes his son will always look back fondly on.
Two players were also chosen to represent Milwaukee at the National Miracle All-Star Game in Tennessee this September.