Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League

Matt Groves sat down with Eli Stone and Melissa Gash about the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League. Eli Stone is one of the players for the Cardinals and Melissa Gash is his coach.

The Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League is a baseball program for youth and adults with special needs. The leagues plays on a specially designed field located at Shillito Park in Lexington, KY. The all-accessible field is the only one of its kind in Kentucky with leagues in both spring and fall. Founded in 2006, the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League is the result of the hard work and dedication from a legion of community leaders and volunteers who wanted to create a “league of their own” for kids with disabilities. Inspired by similar programs around the country, the Lexington Rotary Club, among others, spearheaded the efforts to raise the funds and build the specially designed field and facilities. Each Saturday during the spring and fall, children ages 5-19 participate in baseball at its finest and where everyone is a winner. The league has evolved to include adults who play on Tuesdays during the spring and fall as well. Because of the uniqueness of the program, players travel from all over the state to be a part of this special league.

Today, each league serves hundreds of athletes, not only providing them an outlet for their athletic endeavors, but opportunities for camaraderie, sportsmanship and friendship as well. It also provides wonderful volunteer opportunities for people who wish to coach or be “buddies” to the athletes each game day. The day-to-day operations of the League are managed by the YMCA of Central Kentucky, in partnership with the board of directors at the TBML. The Y, a leader in youth sports, provides coordination of services, including registration, game assignments, team coordination, volunteer coordination, and more.

For more information on the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League you can visit the YMCA of Central Kentucky at 239 E High Street in Lexington. You can also call (859) 254-9622 or visit ymcacky.org.