By Linden Wilson, Assistant Editor
The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, Miracle League and the City of Southlake Break Ground on New Field
There were a lot of smiling faces in the audience at yesterday's Texas Rangers Miracle League Field groundbreaking, located at Southlake's Bicentennial Park. The well-attended ceremony was held to showcase the partnership between the City of Southlake, the Miracle League and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation in creating a field that will soon allow kids and adults with special needs to enjoy the great American sport of baseball. Notables taking the stage for the momentous occasion included Mayor John Terrell, city council member Carolyn Morris, Miracle League Southlake President Philip Meyer and Texas Ranger Hall of Famer Jim Sundberg. Current Rangers stars Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus were also on hand providing smiles and autographs to the children in attendance.
“We're excited to break ground today on the next wave of improvements here at Bicentennial Park,” Terrell says. “These improvements will enhance the opportunities for kids with special needs to not only enjoy America's pastime, but play in an area that lets kids be kids.”
Sundberg, a Rangers fan favorite and senior executive vice president of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, was impressed by the City of Southlake's dedication to the project. “If you've ever been to a Miracle League game, you know it doesn't take long for it to capture your heart, and it is a thrill to be able to partner with the people of Southlake on this kind of endeavor,” he says. “Anybody who knows Southlake knows that they do it right.”
The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is providing a generous $100,000 donation toward the building of the field, which is planner for completion in 2014-2015. It is the fourth Miracle League facility in the DFW Metroplex, following Arlington, Irving and Frisco.
For more information on the Miracle League of Southlake, visit Miracle League of Southlake.