INPERSON
BY KATHY RUDOLPH
A Home Run for the West Suburbs New Miracle League field coming thanks to local collaboration .
Not many kids can say they were the inspiration for a new baseball field . But someday Luke Magulick , age 2½ , will be able to .
Luke , the son of Mike and Christina Magulick of Moon Township , was diagnosed with 5p- Syndrome , a rare genetic disorder that affects only 50 to 60 births a year in the United States .
“ When Luke was diagnosed , my wife and I wanted to do something to help families of children with special needs ,” explains Mike Magulick . “ It was difficult to navigate . Should we write a book , or a blog ? Make videos ? What would be the best way ?”
The answer came while he was coaching for The Miracle League of the South Hills in Upper St . Clair , founded by Sean Casey , a former first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates .
The first Miracle League was founded in 2000 in Conyers , Georgia , and has grown to include more than 240 locations across the country , including Puerto Rico and Canada . The league serves children and adults who suffer from physical or mental disabilities and eliminates barriers that keep them off the baseball field , such as replacing the natural grass fields used in conventional leagues with a custom-designed , rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices while helping to prevent injuries .
“ We saw all of the things that the league was able to do for everyone in the community ,” says Magulick , who has been a Miracle League coach for five years .
With locations in Cranberry , Upper St . Clair and Murrysville , there was a void in the west suburbs , making Moon Township an ideal choice for a Miracle League site . A board made up of family and friends was formed and the group received approval from the league ’ s national organization and from Moon Township . With that , The Miracle League of Moon Township was born . “‘ Wow !’ was my first reaction to the possibility of Moon Township being home to a Miracle League Field ,” says Moon Township Manager Dawn Lane . “ Now that the possibility has turned into reality , we have a lot to do . The Board of Supervisors
( L-R ) Jack , Luke , Mike and Christina Magulick .
and staff are anxiously working through all the pieces with the Magulicks to provide space for this facility , while maintaining the field space we currently have allotted for other sports programs in Moon . The development of this field will not only benefit Moon area children with handicap accessibility needs , but all children in the surrounding communities . Needless to say , we are beyond excited .”
With tentative plans to break ground next fall , the Miracle League field will be located at Endeavor Field in Moon Park on Ewing Road . In addition to the field , the site will include an adaptive playground with a space theme , adaptive restrooms , walking trails , a parking lot , pavilions and more . Along with baseball , future plans include offering other sports for athletes who have special needs , ages 8 and up , in Moon and other municipalities . The site will also be available for the entire community to use .
“ The most important thing we are trying to do is make sure everyone comes and uses the campus once it ’ s up and running ,” says
Photos courtesy Mike Magulick
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