On Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June and July, the cheers are unending at Kidsports Miracle Field in Kalispell.

For five years, players with special needs have been rounding the bases, fielding balls and making memories.

Now in its sixth season, the Miracle League baseball program has grown from four teams and 35 players to eight teams and about 80 players, according to Kidsports President Dan Johns. The program is free to all players, who receive jerseys based on Major League Baseball teams.

Tuesday, Miracle League baseball players took to the emerald-green field to play the first game of the day. The adult women’s Angels team, made up of Lighthouse Christian Home residents, take positions in the field as the Giants, children from Kalispell and surrounding communities, were up to bat.

A smooth, rubberized surface and wheelchair accessible dugouts makes playing baseball possible for children with physical or cognitive disabilities.

“You don’t have to navigate through dirt and grass,” Johns said. “There are no obstructions that would hinder mobility.”

Johns noticed how traditional dirt and grass fields posed safety hazards to people with disabilities when he and Roy Beekman, Kalispell Babe Ruth district commissioner, attempted to start a team for special needs players in the 90s. 

Eventually, Johns and Beekman discovered the Georgia-based Miracle League and its safe, rubber-top field. When Rotary Club of Kalispell raised $260,000, the miracle came true, and the field was installed in June 2009.

Back in the Giants’ dugout, coach Jennifer Johnson announces the batting lineup while players put on their helmets.

“Rawley you’re up to bat,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer goes out to the field with a bucket of balls to pitch. 

“Is everybody ready?” Johnson yelled out, receiving a resounding “yes.”

Eleven-year-old Rawley Johnson steps up to the plate. On the second pitch, he swings and hits the ball. Holding onto his helmet, he makes a run for first base.

Jennifer pitches as long as it takes for each player to hit the ball. In the Miracle League everyone is a winner. Each player gets a chance to bat every inning and make it to home base before the inning is over.

 Rawley is one of Jennifer’s children. Her other son Levi, 7, also plays on the Miracle League.

“The kids are great,” Jennifer said. “My son looks forward to this all year long. Being a special needs kid, the social side [of life] is really hard. So this is his friends base during the summer.”

In the Angels dugout, coach Jena Willis readies her women’s team to bat. Behind the dugout, the men’s Angels team cheers them on while they wait to play their game next.

One of the men’s players Derek Ball, who said he will be 22 next year, greets Jena.

“Hey, how’s it going,” Ball said tapping his new baseball glove. This is his first year playing on the Miracle League and he is having a ball.

Jena said the Miracle League provides all equipment, but many players want their own baseball gloves.

Giants player 8-year-old Emma McGough, was sporting her own baseball glove, in her favorite color — pink. This is McGough’s second year on the Miracle League.

“I like batting. I like hitting as hard as I can,” McGough said.

Jena, who plays softball in college, has volunteered with the Miracle League with her mom, Shirley Willis, since the program 

“I’m getting to share the one thing that means the most to me,” Jena said. “Now I’m able to share it with a population that usually doesn’t get this chance and they love it,” Jena said.

“Uh huh,” Derek chimed in with a smile.

Angels player 29-year-old Amie Bartell excels at batting.

“Last week I hit a home run,” Bartell said.

When she is up to bat Bartell waits for a good pitch and whacks the ball past all the outfielders. With bases loaded, all four players cross home plate. 

Bartell raises her arms in the air as she crosses the plate, “Yes.” 

Bartell, who is active in many sports is looking forward to when Miracle League starts offering soccer. 

Shirley, who is part of the Miracle League planning committee and executive director of the Lighthouse Christian Home, points out black soccer lines in the outfield.

“We’re assembling soccer teams to start a league at Miracle Field in September,” Shirley said.

When everyone has batted, the Angels get out in the field where Sara Maldonadon takes first base. One of the Giants hits a ball in her direction, she drops her glove to the ground, scoops up the ball and throws it to second base. To her, the important part of the Miracle League is to be kind to other teammates.

Jamey Herron, who is in her 40s, has played on the Miracle League each season. Her favorite position is shortstop. Herron said she plays each game with one rule, “Do my best.”

After the game is over the teams congratulate each other on a good game.

A baseball game in the Miracle League is not complete without a hot dog. The two teams head out to the concession stand where Beekman is serving up free hot dogs and soda. 

“Hey guys,” Beekman said handing out foil-wrapped hot dogs.

Beekman echoed the same sentiment as Johns when he said, “When you’re having a bad day, come and watch these kids play.”

Johns said he encourages the public to come out and watch the games, which are at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through July.

For more information or to join baseball or soccer teams call Dan Johns at 751-3268

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.