Updated 05/16/2009 08:07 PM
Miracle League christens new field
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. -- It's a field field of dreams where every hit is a home run.
"There are no barriers," said Miracle League parent Linda Baker. "They're out here. There's no one that judges them. They're just out here having a good time, learning sportsmanship and friendship."
Athletes of the Miracle League, many of whom are physically and mentally challenged, have waited years for a field to call home.
"The field has been a long time coming. A lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears went into making this and it means the world to these kids to have a 4 sport field that they can play on all year," said volunteer Kristin Ottaviano.
Five years and $300,000, later the Jaime M. Adams field is officially open.
"This is certainly the field that they don't have limitations," said Daniel Adams.
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Adam's sister Jaime was the inspiration behind the park.
"The athletes can run around, they can even fall just like other kids. This is a field they can fall on and it's safe for them." he said.
The complex is the first of its kind in the country, offering four sports rolled into one.
The rubberized infield makes sports like track and field, football, and soccer possible, giving athlete like Ben Berger the opportunity to score.
"Ben is really really social and he loves the opportunity to spend time with other kids and this is the perfect opportunity for him to be with a bunch of kids who really support him and love to play the game and he feels part of something," said Ben's mother Liz.
And being part of a team is what draws these players together. Now a field all their own, the potential for these athletes is now limitless.