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Donation Gives Baseball Project Shot In The Arm
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Published: February 18, 2008
LAKE PLACID — With a recent $50,000 donation from Glades Electric Cooperation Inc., Recreation Director John Komosa hopes the ongoing work at a baseball field for disabled players will finish up by September.
New fences and benches already circle a playing field at June Park, in preparation for the future Miracle League Field. Installation of a special rubberized turf to protect players from injury is scheduled when funding is obtained.
The Glades Electric donation goes a long way toward the $250,000 fundraising goal. The turf alone will cost $121,000, said Komosa.
The five-member recreation department did much of the work on the already used ball field, including installing concrete handicapped accessible dugouts and tapered ramps to the playing field.
The eight-week inaugural season, which recently ended, was a success, said Komosa. Seventy disabled athletes paired with 300 "buddies" who volunteered their time. Most of the athletes had never before played a sport.
"The smile and camaraderie between athletes and buddies, athletes and athletes, and buddies and buddies...words haven't been described to describe my emotions," said Komosa.
Much of the funding came from a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant and Komosa is hoping the Glades donation sparks another $50,000 in-kind donation.
The field is used by 7- and 8-year-old T-Ball players and girls' softball teams. The fences are 115 feet away from the plate and Komosa expected that at least half a dozen Miracle Leaguers can whack the ball out.
Bases are 50 feet apart and the pitchers stand 33 feet away from the batter.
Miracle League is an national organization for disabled players. There are no winners or losers, and all games end in tie.
Councilman Bill Brantley is excited to welcome players and their friends and families from all over the state of Florida.
"People come to play and then come back to see our murals and lakes and eat in our restaurants after they realize where we are," said Brantley.
On Feb. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., the first of several clinics will teach players the basics. To make a donation, call 441-1586.
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