In 1997, Rockdale Youth Baseball Association’s coach Eddie Bagwell invited the first child with a disability to play baseball on his team; Michael a 7 year old child in a wheelchair attended every game and practice, while cheering on his 5 year old brother play America’s favorite pass-time. And in 1998, other children with disabilities were invited to play baseball on a typical baseball field within the baseball complex of the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association (RYBA). The players had expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases just like their main stream peers. The league began with 35 players on four teams that first year.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was formed to build a Miracle League field that serves the greater Northampton County area. This field is centrally located at the Charles Chrin Community Center complex in Palmer Township. The location is easily accessible for residents of Northampton County, Monroe County, upper Bucks County, and Warren County, NJ. Also, the site was selected because the field is part of a recreational complex where children of all ability levels will be playing side by side with their siblings, friends, and classmates in a truly integrated recreational facility.