Miracle League of Alexandria Played in Joint “Night of Miracles” Game with Miracle League of Prince William County – June 3, 2023
The Miracle League of Alexandria played in the Inaugural “Night of Miracles” Game with the Miracle League of Prince William County on Saturday, June 3 at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA.
The game featured a combined total of over 40 players from each league who were placed on teams for the game. The night was wonderful as the players, parents, “Angels in the Outfield” and spectators were treated to a wonderful game showcasing the joint efforts the leagues to play the game.
Following the game, everyone was treated to a picnic style dinner. Each of the players and volunteers received awards and certificates for participating.
The plan is to make this an annual game at the end of each spring season in Woodbridge and then an annual game each fall in Alexandria around the 9/11 Anniversary.
Miracle League of Alexandria to Hosted Joint “First Responders” Day Game with Miracle League of Prince William County
The Miracle League of Alexandria hosted a “First Responders” Day game on Saturday, September 9 at 1 pm at the Kelley Cares Miracle Field. Prior to the game, there was a special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in honor of the September 11, 2001 victims and First Responders during that fateful time our country faced.
First Responders from the Alexandria and Prince William County Police, Fire/EMS and Sheriff’s Departments were on-hand to participate in the ceremony. The Alexandria Police Honor Guard was present with the colors for the National Anthem. The Miracle League of Prince William County participants was also be a part of the ceremony and game.
Following the ceremony, the Police, Sheriff, Fire/EMS become the “Angels In The Outfield” Buddies for the day assisting the players in hitting, throwing, catching and circling the bases. At the conclusion of the game, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (who have volunteered with the MLA now for over 10 years) handed out grilled hotdogs and provided chips, water and cupcakes to everyone.
The ceremony and game was open free for anyone who came out to support our hero First Responders and our Miracle League players! 9/11… WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
Alexandria Gazette Packet (pg 15)
Chief of Police Don Hayes and Sheriff Sean Casey prepare to lead the player procession onto the field.
Alexandria, VA – On September 11, the Alexandria Miracle League, a baseball league dedicated to serving those with special needs, celebrated Alexandria’s first responders on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11. If one scoured the entire country, they would struggle to find a scene more representative of what those first responders rushed to protect on that fateful day.
People of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities came together, despite the heat and the rain, to play a regular good old baseball game. The cherry on top was the endless free hotdogs served by the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, which has volunteered with the Miracle League for ten years. If this is not emblematic of the American spirit, what is?
First responders, including police, sheriffs, fire, and EMS from Alexandria and Prince William County (whose citizens participate regularly in the league), attended the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony. The Alexandria honor guard presented the flag; Mayor Justin Wilson and several city officials spoke. After the opening ceremonies, they joined together to be the “Angels in the Outfield,” buddies to the players who needed assistance.
Master Police Officer Trujillo from Prince William County thanked the volunteers and said that this is what community is all about, “being brothers and sisters to each other.” Alexandria Chief of Police Don Hayes reminded the crowd how important it is to empower your neighbors, noting that the achievement of the volunteers and the players proves “you can do a lot of things with the proper support.”
That message was proved at home plate. Even as darker and darker clouds rolled in and the first raindrops dripped onto the field, Mac Slover, a key founder of the MLA, made sure that everyone had their turn at bat and got to round the bases.
Bill Rivers, Mac’s “co-captain” of the league, welcomed everyone home with big smiles and pats on the back. The audience cheered each player by name with unique chants and shouts. There are no golf claps at MLA, only joy.
Councilmember Sarah Bagley attended the game for the first time. A softball player herself, she said, “Sport is such a great way to build communities and build friendships.” Bagley said Mac Slover did a great job elevating this 9/11 to be extra special for both the players and the first responders.
A flag created to commemorate all those lost in the attacks hung over home plate and billowed as the wind picked up. When the rain arrived in full force, everyone crammed into the recreation center to continue eating, talking, and laughing. Family, food, friends, baseball. Dark days can’t stop neighbors from gathering. They only bring them closer together.
Everyone is welcome to join the Miracle League of Alexandria as a player or a volunteer. Find more information at miracleleagueofalexandria.com/.
