The Sun Times, Tribune and Daily Southtown each ran a story today about this.

 

Southtown:

 

The Sox announced Wednesday they will spend $1 million to build 4 ballfields behind CHicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, including the city's first specialized "miracle field" for wheelchair baseball. The SOx decided to use $800,000 they recieved from MLB for hosting last year's All Star game, and some of the team's own money to build the complex at Mount Greenwood Park, near 111th street and Pulaski Road.

The other 3 fields will be designed for high school and youth baseball and girl's softball. Construction will begin in August.

Mount Greenwood was picked because the neighborhood has an active therapeutic sports program, a large piece of land was available, and because "it's in the heart of Sox territory" Sox spokesman Scott Reifert said. "We want this to be a 'wow' for the kids" said Reifert. "we want people to feel like you're on a major league facility"

 

The state of the art miracle field features a rubberized playing surface and painted bases, that allow people who use wheelchairs to enjoy baseball. The Sox have spent $300,000 to build 2 such fields in Roselle and Geneva.

The Sox are trying to preserve tradition as well. Team groundskeeper Roger Bossard, a South Holland native, will supervise installation of the fields, scoreboards, seating, fencing and irrigation.

Residents can expect to see clinics, camps and some appearances by Sox players, Reifert said. "We don't want to just build this and then disappear. We want to take care of Chicagoans, our neighbors and the Sox fans."

 

From the Sun Times

 

Miracle fields - there are 14 nationwide, with 62 under construction - feature a soft, rubberized surface that allows wheelchairs to roll easily over the infield and outfield. The concept began in the late 1990s in the Atlanta suburb of Conyers, Ga., when a coach noticed a boy in a wheelchair watching a game from behind a fence. The coach tried to start a league but found wheelchairs could not easily navigate a standard field. A local architect designed an accessible diamond.

After HBO's Real Sports ran a profile of the Conyers project in July, 2001, demand exploded across the country. White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf saw the program, and according to Reifert, passed along video copies to his staff with the note, "If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you don't have a heart."

The executive director of the Miracle League Association Diane Alford said that all official Miracle Fields are set up next to existing fields for able bodied players. Not all players use wheelchairs. Some are blind. One player in Georgia catches despite having no arms. He uses his shoulder and neck to catch and throw, said Alford. She also said that she used the Sox involvement to cajole teams in other cities to contribute to Miracle Fields.

 

 

Kudos to Sox.

Once again, HUGE props to the Sox for their community involvment. They give so much back it is really impressive. Good for them.

Once again, HUGE props to the Sox for their community involvment.  They give so much back it is really impressive.  Good for them.

 

 

Ditto.

 

 

It's nice to see the 2 major papers reporting something other than poor attendance and violent fans.

I read that before heading off to work. This topic needs pinning!

I read that before heading off to work.  This topic needs pinning!

Good idea Queenie!

One player in Georgia catches despite having no arms. He uses his shoulder and neck to catch and throw, said Alford.

 

 

that's ridiculous.

that's ridiculous.

I guess it brings whole new meaning to this kid has no arm

 

[Yup, still on the highway to hell]

With all the criticism that JR gets, he certainly deserves kudos for having a hand in this.

I bet Mariotti talks about this tomorrow in the Sun-Times.

That's awesome, props to the sox

huge props to the sox, another reason you should give the ball to a kid rather then throwing it back on the field....."We not only have white sox, we have heart" next years slogan

Sox have done this alot that is one thing about the Sox, no one but Sox fans talk about. I remember an article in a newspaper a couple years ago that say Sox always help the Kids, CUBS never donate s*** ever when asked, but we are the MEAN Sox and they are the lovable Cubs...............BS :fthecubs

I love that the Sox really contribute to the community a lot! Props to the Sox!

I bet Mariotti talks about this tomorrow in the Sun-Times.

Why'd you put it in green???

Not all players use wheelchairs. Some are blind.

How does that work?

Why'd you put it in green???

Because Kotex-Boy doesn't believe in positive stories. Even when it involves a bunch of greedy million and billionaires giving back to the disadvantaged and impacting peoples lives for the better.

How does that work?

I'm no expert, but I think the blind players use a ball that emits a beeping sound, and I believe they hit off a tee.

if any one wants cool pics go to geocities.com/whitesoxpics