Miracle League of Granbury is all about smiles

Steve and Darlene Mitcham are in the business of making dreams come true, and for 16 Saturdays each year, the Granbury couple's "Field of Dreams" is a place where miracles happen. 

The Mitchams started the Miracle League of Granbury together after Steve was inspired by a video he saw of disabled veterans playing baseball and softball with kids in their communities.

"I saw a video of veterans who had lost limbs and were going around playing baseball and softball, with kids," Mitcham said. "It was the most inspirational thing I'd seen because there was one kid who didn't have any legs or arms. He threw the baseball with his chin, which inspired me to do something."

The video moved Mitcham so profoundly that he made a "deal with God" that he would find a way to give children with disabilities the same opportunity.

"We began by investigating what would be the best, and the Miracle League was it," Mitcham said. "Then we found out the cost and began planning. First, we poured concrete, built a field that was wheelchair accessible, and built covered stands along with a concession stand and a bathroom."

Vulcanized rubber material covers the field that is marked with permanent baselines and bases. While Mitcham is the league's headman and announces the game with enthusiasm for all to hear, it's hard to pull all the facts out of him – like that he paid the majority of the $400,000-plus in construction out of his pocket.

Instead, Mitcham would rather talk about the smiles he has seen since the Miracle League played its first game in 2015 – that's if he can find time from handing out the free jersey/T-shirts as the players start arriving.

The athletes can pick a color and number from a rack of shirts that advertise the Miracle League of Granbury and Mitcham's Granbury-based Chicken Express and Texas Edge businesses.

Darlene is helping handle the paperwork and shares her thoughts on why she takes part every Saturday.

"It's the smiles, without a doubt. There's nothing better than the smiles on these kids' faces when they play," Darlene said.

As coach Kenneth Turnage explained, the athletes' ages can range slightly.

"We have players who've got cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, shaken baby syndrome and more," Turnage said. "We've got kids ranging in age from four to 40. I get goosebumps every game. I'm a kid with them. I'm 53 next month, and I'm still 12 when I'm out here. I get on their level and pitch to each kid individually and have fun with them. I dance with them. I run with them. I celebrate with them."

It's much the same for coach Curt Matthews.

"I just love working with the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces," Matthews said. "I have been doing it since the very first game, and it's just as fun and exciting now."

On Saturday, the two teams matched up against Turnage, who pitches to both teams and, without a doubt, holds the country's highest earned-run average that's somewhere near 103.7.

The Miracle League of Granbury is about scoring runs and making smiles and memories for a lifetime.

Mitcham, Matthews and Turnage develop various ways to ensure lots of scoring happens. After a short-hop single by a player, Mitcham may "distract" Turnage to look over at the Miracle League banner, and a base or three get stolen.

Everyone gets a couple of turns, and everyone scores – some on their own and others with help.

When Granbury's Miracle League first started, there were about 20 players, and that number has swelled to as many as 70.

"We're trying to get it where the parents can sit in the stands instead of being out here in the field. We want more volunteers, and we're going to start doing more of that," Turnage said. "We want the parents to be parents. We don't want them to be caregivers here. They do that all week long. Enjoy it. Get their video cameras out, eat popcorn, sit in the stands, and talk to other parents. It lets them meet other parents and build a network with other special-needs parents."

The games typically last about 90 minutes, and the eight-week season starts in the spring because of the heat. The 10 a.m. game times are also geared toward allowing parents to have the time needed to prepare their children.

"We've had some kids come out that put so much effort just to get around the bases – just be able to hit the ball is so inspirational. That's why we have such a big crowd. We have three times as many people in the crowd than those on the field. We have people coming on every Saturday to watch it. We pay for everything. Even the concession stand is free. The uniform is free. There's no expense for parents," Mitcham said.

Free, yet the experience is priceless for someone like six-year veteran player Christian Killingsworth, 10, who suffers from spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Christian was nicknamed "The Wildman" by his doctor because of his continued determination to do things independently. Christian was debuting his new lightweight electric wheelchair on Saturday.

"This is more fun than you could ever have at a regular baseball," Christian's grandmother Mary Killingsworth said. "It's given Christian a whole new love and passion. He just loves baseball. He plays it in any form he can, including video games. He watches baseball on television."

Despite only having his wheelchair for a couple of weeks, Christian lived up to his "Wildman" reputation as he maneuvered into position to face the relentless pitching of "Rag-Arm" Turnage. Christian would win the battle with a 2-2 performance and a pair of runs scored.

Seven games remain on the Miracle League of Granbury's spring schedule for 2022. All the games are played on a Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m., and there is no need for an athlete to preregister. Fall games are scheduled depending on the weather and heat.

For more information, including having your group volunteer time, you can contact Steve Mitcham 817-559-9036. You can find Miracle League of Granbury on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MiracleLeagueOfGranbury

Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 ext. 231