Miracle League of the South Hills (Casey’s Clubhouse)

The Miracle League of the South Hills envisions a community where all people with disabilities have opportunities to enhance their lives as athletes, teammates, and in everyday life.

The Miracle League of the South Hills empowers individuals with disabilities and their families by promoting meaningful and authentic relationships on the baseball field and in the community.

We provide every child and adult the opportunity to play the game of baseball. We focus on nurturing peer relationships as we merge communities together so that barriers to friendship and opportunity are removed, fostering acceptance of all individuals. Also, we help to develop athletic, life, and social skills to help individuals reach their full potential.

The Miracle League’s mission is to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball regardless of their abilities by promoting community support through the construction of special facilities meeting the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families. Our custom-designed fields eliminate the challenges preventing many children from playing the game of baseball. Cushioned rubberized surfaces help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and completely flat surfaces eliminate any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players. We pair every player with an able-bodied peer fostering a community of support and compassion centered around the love of baseball.

TML South Hills was launched in 2010 when former Major League Baseball first baseman and MLB Network commentator Sean Casey began his quest to bring a Miracle League to his hometown of Pittsburgh. What began as a small league of under 100 youth has grown into a community of over 350 players ranging from five years old to sixty-five, organized into competitive and non-competitive divisions, with activities year round. With over 60 zip codes represented by our players, TML is proud to now reach communities outside the South Hills of Pittsburgh as we serve the Upper St. Clair neighborhood and the greater Pittsburgh area.

Lastly, the organization also is expanding our Miracle League of the South Hills Gives Back Program to help teach our players about volunteering. This program was started in the spring of 2017 to help our players learn the importance of giving back to their community. In the past few years, the initiative’s food and clothing drive donated over 1500 lbs of food and clothing to a local food bank. The League also partnered with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and our players helped prepare 750 gift bags for families living with cancer. We also held a one-day coin drive for the Miracle League of Houston which was damaged by Hurricane Harvey and collected coins on a game day, raising over $3,000. Other programs include our Angels in the Outfield holiday gift drive and our school supply drive. All of us at TML of South Hills are so grateful for all of the financial and volunteer support we receive, we are proud to make it an institutional priority to give back to the communities that have given so much to us.

Our organization isn't possible without our volunteers. With only one paid employee, the Miracle League of the South Hills Buddy Program drives us to meet the foundations mission and vision.

The Miracle League Buddies are assigned a player for each game. The buddy is there to protect the player from balls, assist the player in batting and running the bases (if needed), and to be a friend on and off the field. Buddies receive a Miracle League Buddy t-shirt for their participation. Buddies are youth (ages 12 and up) and adults who play or enjoy baseball and softball-or just like to have fun. These include family members and local youth and civic groups to mention a few. Though we call them Buddies, many people refer to the volunteers as Angels in the Outfield. Buddies need to be energetic, committed and enthusiastic for each game. We encourage buddies to keep a consistent schedule. This allows for Miracle players to grow more comfortable with their new friends. Buddies are responsible for their individual player from the time of introduction until the player is back in the care of their parent/guardian. This means that no matter where their player goes the buddy must go. Buddies are expected to protect the Miracle League player at all times. When a hard hitter is up at bat, buddies are to step in front of the Miracle League player for protection. Always allow the Miracle League player as much freedom as possible to play his/her game and position. Assist the Miracle League player according to their needs. Arrive at the field 30 minutes prior to game time. Notify the Miracle League Buddy Coordinator (or your coach) at least 24 hours prior to game time if they will not be able to attend the game. Be properly dressed in the Buddies t-shirt. Demonstrate high morals and integrity on and off the field.

Benchmarks of growth:
2010 - we raised over $1 million dollars to build the field
2012 - the field was built and the first season was played
2015 - another capital campaign of $1 million was started to build a one-of-a-kind accessible playground next to the field
2016 - for the first time, we raised over $100,000 at our primary fundriaser
2017 - started a new program, the Miracle League Gives Back
2018 - we grew to over 350 participants and 600 volunteers
2019 - started our 3rd capital campaign to begin construction on our new project called "The Next Inning"

"The Next Inning" - estimated to open and begin the program in the spring of 2021

Over the last decade, TML South Hills continues to remove the barriers keeping children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and letting them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Beyond learning the baseball fundamentals, TML South Hills encourages making new friends, builds self-esteem, and allows participants to be treated just like other athletes. Our buddy system pairing each player with an able-bodied peer forges a bond of mutual respect, physical, emotional, and mental support, and creates lasting friendships for years to come. Adding the “Next Inning” to our growing list of opportunities for these amazing athletes creates a whole new ballgame for our families and our organization.

From the first dollar we raised in 2010 to our first pitch just two years later, we've been committed to our mission that everyone deserves the chance to play baseball. With "The Next Inning", a new door for our kids & adults with special needs within TML South Hills will open. This project will build a job training center for our athletes. The new center will include our concession stand & an announcers booth. We'll be hiring our athletes to work in the new building, providing training in customer service, accounting, counting money, custodial work, & more. Our athletes will get paid and this will be the first paying job for many. We'll teach valuable resume building classes as well as interview skills, and work with other businesses to hire our athletes as they transition into their next phase of life.

The program will be developed through the joint effort of the executive board of the MLSH, Executive Director Tim Gebhart, volunteer educational leaders in the community, and volunteer strategy managers of inclusion and diversity from local area businesses.