Miracle League, George School Partner To Hold Three-Day Softball Festival

Starting this Friday, approximately 75 Miracle League athletes will participate in a three-day Softball Festival on the George School campus. This is the first year the Softball Festival has been planned.

The Miracle League is an organization that provides opportunities for individuals with mental and physical disabilities to participate in sports.

The weekend will feature various softball competitions, a movie under the stars, an ice cream social, a dance, and recreational swimming. There will also be elements
inspired by the Olympics, like opening and closing ceremonies and a festival village, organizers said.

Even if you don’t have a friend or relative participating in the festival, you can still support The Miracle League by cheering on the athletes at games, participating in the parade at Friday’s 7:30 p.m. opening ceremonies, or attending other parts of the event. A full schedule of festival events is available at The Miracle League’s website at www.miracleleaguenhpa.org.

“It is the only weekend-long event of its kind in the area, and we expect that it will grow in years to come,” said Debbi Katz of the Miracle League. “The event offers the chance for special needs athletes to compete and experience a weekend with their
friends, learning social and life skills in a safe environment.”

Along with parents and volunteers in the local community, George School administrators and faculty contributed to the year-long planning of the event. In addition, 2011 graduates Paul Kim, Dan Kolbman, and Kevin Simone completed service projects with the Miracle League during the school year, said Juliana Rosati, the school’s public relations director.

George School’s Head of School Nancy Starmer will speak at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

While this may be the first softball festival, it isn’t the first time The Miracle League and George School have partnered.  The school and the organization have held softball clinics and a dance in January where George School students and Miracle League athletes got to know each other.

“I decided to get involved in Miracle League because of my love of softball and making the sport attainable to anyone who has a passion for the game,” said George School softball coach and science teacher Kathy Coyle, who hosted two softball clinics for Miracle League athletes. “The athletes of Miracle League are inspiring and remind us how anything can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.”

To learn more about how to get involved with the Miracle League, call (484) 654-6115 or email info@miracleleaguenhpa.org.