Baseball is often referred to as America’s National Pastime, and the Miracle League of Franklin County is 
happy to offer a league for children and adults of all ability levels.
Miracle League not only gives children with special needs the chance to play baseball, it also helps players make friends, be part of a team and improve their self-esteem. The games are equally rewarding for the players’ families, coaches, buddies, volunteers and spectators in the stands.
We make baseball accessible and safe to play for athletes with disabilities. Our custom field with its cushioned, rubberized surface can accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Families have a place where their athlete is shown dignity and respect. Knowing their child is in a safe environment, they can take a break on the sidelines or in our new family building.
Miracle League of Franklin County is open to individuals ages 5 years and older with physical, developmental and behavioral/emotional disabilities living in Franklin, Vance, Granville, Warren and northern Wake counties in North Carolina (The age cut-off date is May 1 for the spring season and Sept. 1 for the fall season).
The league hosts two baseball seasons a year in the fall and spring, each lasting 10 weeks. Games are played Saturday mornings with teenagers and adults age 12 and older playing at 9:30 a.m. and younger children ages 5-11 playing at 10:30 a.m. on a custom, rubberized field located on the grounds of Long Mill Elementary in Youngsville, North Carolina.
Registration is $35 and includes a hat, t-shirt jersey and the opportunity to participate in the season’s 10 Saturday morning baseball games. When registering, please remember to include the name of his/her favorite song that will be played as they walk up to the home plate to bat. A walk-up song can simply be one that the player loves or one that helps pump up the crowd.
Game Format
The way our baseball game is played gives every player a chance to experience the joy of the game and is truly inclusive for all children and adults with disabilities. Everyone can play.
Our custom field has a cushioned, rubberized surface to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices used by individuals with disabilities. The field’s flat surface enables Miracle League players and their Buddy to safely maneuver and play ball.
Players are encouraged to bring their own gloves while playing defense, but bats, helmets, balls and a batting tee are provided during offense. Typically, a volunteer pitches to each batter until they get a hit, but players can also hit off a batting tee. There are no strikeouts or walks.
A real bat and softball are used during games and Buddy volunteers (HYPERLINK TO: Be a Buddy page) are by the athlete’s side to assist them throughout the game while batting, running the bases and playing defense.
- Games are two innings long, with game time lasting approximately one hour. The first game of athletes ages 12+ begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the second game with ages 5 – 11 at 10:30 a.m.
- Every player bats once during each inning.
- All players are safe on the bases.
- Every player scores a run before the inning is over with the last player up getting a home run.
- Volunteers serve as Buddies to assist players on offense and defense.
- Each team and player win every game.
- All Miracle League of Franklin County games end with a dance, such as the Cha-Cha Slide!