Want to meet a new friend? Become a volunteer to be a buddy for a Miracle League baseball player!

There are some wonderful kids, who finally get to be a kid and play baseball for the first time. Here is where YOU come in. If you stop over to the Betty and Bobby Allison Miracle League Baseball field in the Dan Kinney Park around 5:45 this afternoon,  you will be paired up with a special needs child who may have never ever had a chance to play a game of ball.

The look on these kids faces is almost indescribable.  They virtually light up when they are hitting and running and catching that ball.

Here are some quick facts for this season:

– The season will be 4 weeks of games, beginning September 18, and then a 5th week of a Home Run Derby

– All games are played at the Betty and Bobby Allison Miracle League Baseball Field in Dan Kinney Park at 2701 S. Blackman Rd., Springfield, MO 65809

– Total volunteer time for one night is 5:45-8:15 p.m. (this gives you enough time to learn pointers for volunteering and get everyone paired up with a player, so that  the game can begin at 6 p.m.

– Volunteer parking is on the west end of the Dan Kinney Family Center parking lot (a map is attached with the preferred section highlighted in yellow and orange, as this saves our small parking lot for our players)

– Volunteers meet on the field at second base for the pre-game briefing. Please check in there with the Parks staff when you arrive

– League information, including schedules, can be found at: Park Board Web Site – Miracle League

– Our Facebook page, where we post the most up-to-date inclement weather decisions, can be found at: Betty and Bobby Allison Miracle League Baseball Field FACEBOOK page