An organization called Miracle League broke ground on a new project in Des Moines Thursday. Bob Mitchell, president of the league’s board of directors, says it’s a specially designed field where children with mental and physical disabilities can play baseball.
"It’s a rubberized surface with the bases painted on. So, there’s no obstacles for (the children)," Mitchell said. Mitchell says the kids will also play by some special rules. "Every kid bats and every kid scores. We play two, maybe three innings, and at the end of the game, it’s always a tie," Mitchell explained. He expects 150 players to be in the league when its inaugural season opens in June.
"Every player has a buddy who’s assigned to that child to help them experience as best they can, and where they need assistance, to provide that," Mitchell said. The field is located across the street from Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs.