After almost 20 years of providing adaptive sports programs to adults and children with special needs, Pam Stickler is hoping for a miracle — a Miracle League, that is.
Stickler founded The RECing Crew, a sports, leisure and recreational program in September 2002. One of its components is an adaptive baseball program. Some of the participants are in wheelchairs or use walkers to get around.
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“A Miracle League field is totally accessible,” said Stickler. The Miracle League field is a rubberized turf that wheelchairs can glide over with ease.
A Miracle League is more than just the field, though. It’s a program that pairs volunteer buddies with individuals with disabilities to play the game of baseball, according to the Miracle League’s website.
Stickler has the buddy component already in place with a large force of volunteers who ensure the programs of the RECing Crew happen.
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“This gives them the same opportunity as others have had to play the sport,” she said.
Stickler said her organization has had a great relationship with North Augusta’s parks and recreation department over the years, but she has to plan her events around others. Having a Miracle League would give the RECing Crew a dedicated space.
And the field wouldn’t lie dormant outside of a regular baseball season in the spring. She believes it could operate year-round. She said soccer could be played on it, and other groups that work with special needs could use it as well.
“The school system’s special education program could use it for field days. We could have day programs there. Aiken County has a Special Olympics program,” she said.
She also sees the space as useful for movie nights or other activities with her organization.
Stickler was one of the representatives from The RECing Crew to speak to members of the North Augusta’s City Council during the June 14 study session.
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She’s already got some sponsors lined up and has fundraising ideas in place.
Augusta’s Family YMCA has a Miracle League at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. She helped that group when it raised funds for its Miracle League a decade ago.
In addition to sports programs such as adaptive baseball, basketball and bowling, the RECing Crew offers arts activities, ballet, mixed martial arts and social events for its participants. Upcoming events include a football clinic in July.
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To learn more about the RECing Crew, visit therecingcrew.com.
The Miracle League started in Conyers, Ga. with the first field constructed in 2000. More than 300 Miracle Leagues exists and more than 200,000 children and adults have participated in Miracle Leagues, according to the Miracle League website.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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