About
The Miracle League
There are 275 Miracle League Organizations across the country including Puerto Rico, Canada, and Australia. The Miracle League is proud to serve over 200,000 children and young adults with disabilities.
The Miracle League Field is a baseball diamond consisting of a rubberized latex-free surface that is free of obstacles and has painted baselines and dugouts at field level. The field is designed specifically for wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices needed to assist participating youth.
Miracle League Rules
- Every player bats once each inning
- All players are safe on the bases
- Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run)
- Community volunteers serve as 'buddies' to assist the players
- Every game ends in a tie
Testimonials
"David has Cerebral Palsy. He has no head or trunk control and is unable to walk or talk. I never thought that David would be able to enjoy sports activities until last year. Ankeny opened the Miracle League and David is playing baseball and is having the time of his life. They have people who volunteer to be their helpers (called Angels in the Outfield), they help the kids hold the bat and hit the ball and they help the ones in the wheelchairs get to their bases. David gets to interact and participate with children of all ages. The smiles and the laughter and all the adults cheering is priceless."
"Our son Will has participated in Miracle League since its beginning in Ankeny and he has truly enjoyed every season. One of Will's favorite parts of playing is interacting with his "Angels in the Outfield". Whether it be helping him at bat, running around the bases, or rolling the ball back and forth in the outfield, Will has certainly been blessed with some wonderful Angels! It is hard to describe how much these moments mean to the players (and their parents) but it is obvious from the expressions on their faces. We truly believe that it is impossible to leave the Miracle League field on a Saturday morning without a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart."
"Proud to live in a community that makes sure all children get to play the All-American game! It was very well designed to serve the needs of the children."
History
The Miracle Park Project is a $1.7 million public-private partnership between the City of Ankeny and the Ankeny Kiwanis Club.
Fundraising efforts began in 2012 to construct the second Miracle League Field in Iowa but the first with a co-located All-Inclusive Playground to benefit youth with special needs. The Miracle Park Project is located in Hawkeye Park, which is one of Ankeny's most prominent parks. The park is centrally located, with high visibility and convenient parking in close proximity to the park.
Construction began in the Fall of 2012 and the Miracle League Field opened on September 7, 2013, for the first Ankeny Kiwanis Miracle League season. On September 27, 2014, the first phase, the 5 to 12-year-old section, of the All-Inclusive Playground was opened to the public. The restroom and concession facility also opened up in the fall. On May 2, 2015, the final two phases, the 2 to 5-year-old section and the standalone equipment, were completed and made available for public access.
Sponsors and Donors
| Title Sponsors $200,000+ | |
|---|---|
John Deere Des Moines Works | Karl Chevrolet |
| Champions $100,000 - $199,999 |
|---|
Albaugh, Inc. Kiwanis Club of Ankeny |
| Builders $50,000 - $99,999 | ||
|---|---|---|
Ankeny Hy-Vee City of Ankeny | Musco Lighting Polk County | Tesdell Electric |
| Angels $25,000 - $49,000 | ||
|---|---|---|
Casey's General Store Classic Builders Community State Bank | Kerry Walter-Ashby and Todd Ashby Mannatts Mel and Kathy Weatherwax | Seamus Excavating Snyder and Associates The Downing Family |
| Heroes $10,000 - $24,999 | ||
|---|---|---|
Ankeny Chamber of Commerce Ankeny School District Atlantic Bottling Company Carl and Janet Lust-In Honor of Brandon Lust CJM Financial Don and Charlene Lamberti | FEH Associates Iowa USSSA and Central Iowa Sports KaBoom Lighting Solutions Lohse Family Foundation Fund Monsanto | Nehring Construction Prairie Meadows Principal Financial Group Tom and Joan Quinlin Family Two Rivers Bank and Trust Vivianne Jancys |
| Friends $5,000 - $9,999 | ||
|---|---|---|
Ankeny Girls Softball Association Ankeny Junior Football Ankeny Rotary Ankeny Sports Complex Foundation Bankers Trust Brad Van Weelden Company C.H. Robinson Centurion Stone | Dee Zee January Burch and Bob Mitchell Karon Lacey Knights of Columbus Kum and Go Lincoln Savings Bank Nancy C. Spahr Northwest Bank | Polk County Farm Bureau Randy and Peggy Munson Richard and Mary Langdon Terry and Cheryl Van Oort Toro Vision Financial Group |
| Supporters $1000 - $4,999 | ||
|---|---|---|
Aaron and Emily Forrester Ankeny Economic Development Corp. Ankeny Fire Department Ankeny First United Methodist Church Ankeny Jaycees Joe and Kelly Quinlin Ankeny Key Club - In Memory of Joe Tourte Ankeny Lions Club Ankeny Little League Ankeny Volleyball Association Ashland Ridge Elementary PTO Ashley and Ryan Penning Bell Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning Brian and Deb Coyle Marcus R. Pitts - NAI Optimum Care Initiatives Meadowbrook Builders Cary and Heidi Murphy Catersville Elevator, Inc. Chad Ireland Chemorse Chuck and Ruth Gassmann Clete and Ellie Anderson Cory and Lisa Schoening Crocker Elementary PTO Dan and Mary Quinlin Dan and Pat Fliger Dana Downing Dave and Ann Kissinger David Ashby Denny and Patti Warren Dick and Sue Rasmussen Doll Distributing | Dolores Van Oort Don and Carolyn Zuck Dr. Sara Schutte-Schenck and Todd Schenck Dunkin Donuts Ed and Jodi Steyer Elizabeth Overberg George Holmes Tim Spooner Georgetown Turkey Trot Great Western Bank Gregory L. O'Hara Charitable Fund Griffin Hall, Parker and Gabrielle Griffin Heartland Millwrights Holy Trinity Luthern Church In Honor of David Hartline In Honor of David Hartline, Abby Faber and Katie Gray Iowa Beverage Systems Jean Long - In Memory Of Jeff and Lindsay Clement Jeff and Lisa Anderlik Jim and Emily Robidoux Jim and Emily Spradling Joel and Krissa Krusemark John and Nancy Peterson Kelly and Mike Rinker Kent and Kim Kaplan Kim and Mike Griffin Knights of Columbus-Iowa State Council Larry and Frances Nielsen Michael and Linda Sharp Mid American Energy Company | Mike and Krista Perin NE/IA Kiwanis Foundation Nick and Courtney Lenox Noodles and Company Northeast Elementary PTO Northwest Elementary PTO Optimist Club of Ankeny Patrick and Lori Quinlin Paul and Vickie Rhoads Pizza Ranch Prairie Ridge Middle School Richard and Marcia Flaugh Robert and Virginia Bettle Ryan and Tami Sullivan Sean and Linda McTaggart Sydney Kate Peterson Memorial Fund Ted and Landi Quinlin Theresa and Clay Cook Tim and Christine Quinlin Tim and Monica Kirgan Tom and Cindy Fish Tom and Kendra Caruth Tom and Sara Hanley Tori's Eye Photography Veridian Credit Union Wal Mart Foundation Weitz Company Wellmark Blues Care Yoga in the Park Ankeny |
| Boosters $500 - $999 | ||
|---|---|---|
Ankeny Police Department Ankeny United Methodist Women Ankeny Women's Club Art of Life Salon Bob Mitchell and Associates Brian and David Fett-Jones Brian Herbel Bryce Houghton and Kelly Ribich Business Impact Group Carla and Denny Prather Colleen Mooi Dale and Michelle Schmitt Dean and Becky Hoffman Dean and Beverly Baer Des Moines Golden K Kiwanis Club Dick and Joyce Howe Direct Realty Company Family and Friends of Katie Gray First National Bank Gabby, Nick and Emily Scherle Gary Ratigan | GuideOne Insurance Hy-Vee Prairie Trail Iowa Countertops Iowa Rush Soccer Club Jeff and Elaine Rasmussen John and Marvis Landon John and Mary Keck Jon and Taylor VanBruggen Keep Ankeny Beautiful Kemin Industries, Inc. Kimberley Development Corporation Kinzler Construction Services Kohl's Liberty Bank Lucas Trosper Mary Beth Overton Mary Ferree Maybelle Bowers - In Memory Of Meredith Corporation Michael and Allison Schaeffer Nick and Elaine Pauly | North Polk National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society Northeast Girls on the Run Omaha Community Foundation Pepperjax Grill Premier Plumbing, Inc. R.L Fridley Theatres, Inc. Rachel Snyder Signs-N-More St. Luke Catholic Church Suzy Poock Thrivent Financial Todd Construction Todd Redenius Tom and Karen Lacey Tom and Renee Connolly Tyler and Lindsey Brady Family USTA Missouri Valley Valley Bank Villas at Stonewater Vision Financial Group William and Tina Mabuce |
Community $1 - $499
- Adoption Connection LTD
- Advanced Family Dentistry
- Al and Ruth Downey
- Alan and Emily Gavin
- Alan Mathis
- Allan Knudsen
- Allison Robbins
- Alpha Rho of Beta Sigma Phi
- American United Church of Christ
- Amy Dollison
- Amy Frederick
- Ana Chism
- Andrea and Kenny Moore
- Andrea McNamara
- Andrea Trotter
- Ankeny 4-H Club
- Ankeny Centennial Key Club
- Ankeny Children's Dental
- Ankeny Extreme 10U
- Ankeny High School Girls Softball
- Ankeny High School-Class of 1983
- Ankeny Hy-Vee Drug Store
- Ankeny Montessori
- Ankeny Sanitation
- Ann Cruz
- Arlene and Dewayne Brown
- Ashland Ridge Elementary
- Aubrey and Vahid Ellig
- Aubrey Stadtlander
- Austin Hurst
- Barb Mitchell
- Barb Orcutt
- Barefoot Chic
- Barney and Rita Hilbert
- Barry and Mary Bruner
- Becky Hester
- Ben and Kimberly Rivera
- Ben Digmann
- Beth Javaux
- Bill and Tammy Zook
- Bob and Deb Hansell
- Bob and Karen Thomas
- Bonnie Ballard
- Brad and Andrea Greer
- Bradley and Nicolee Rasmussen
- Bradley and Rhonda Hiatt
- Brady and Jennifer Mallon
- Brent Cottington
- Brian and Carmen Herbel
- Brian and Kathy Heil
- Brian Chittenden
- Brian Pottebaum
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Carol Burt
- Carol Stone
- Catherine Stevermer
- Cecilie and Lynn Vogt
- Central Iowa Networking
- Charles and Betty McQuinn
- Charles and Geri Herfkens
- Chase and Ava Martin
- Cheryl Pence
- Chris and Lisa Cowan
- Chris and Margaret Hopkins
- Chris and Shelly Doubleday
- Christine Anderson
- Christopher Benda
- Claire and Olivia Nefzger
- Cleatie and Katherine Devine
- Connie Johnson
- Corey Morrison
- Corwin Schoening
- Cory Meinecke
- Crocker Elementary
- Curtis and Mona Kline
- Curtis Brown
- Dan and Melody Massoth
- Dana and Paul Caspersen
- Daniel and Carol Kavadas
- Daniel and Jennifer Sease
- Darin and Lori Leach
- Darren and Kim Baty
- Darryl and Angie Bresson
- Dave and Carol Ewalt
- Dave and Ruby Hodges
- Dave Walter
- David and Joyce Brown
- David and Melissa Jones
- David and Shannon Schabel
- David Cram
- David Fisher
- Dean and Janice Plantz
- Deb and Jim Dyar
- Debra Culligan
- Denise Janssen
- Dennis Roupe
- Derek and Kari Conley
- Derek Mohr
- Des Moines Iron Workers Local 67
- Devin and Kristin Christensen
- Dianna and Richard Carnahan
- Dixie Jeffries
- Don and Gayle Naglak
- Don and Velma Reese
- Donald and Mary Ochs
- Dorothy Mathis
- Doug and Martha Wittkowski
- Doug Griffith and Family
- Douglas and Verna Curry
- Douglas Vinsand
- Drew Owen
- Dwight Whitlatch
- Earle and Diane Wood
- East Elementary
- Edith and Royce Fichtner
- Ellen and Don Boda
- Emily Fish
- Eric and Michele Raasch
- Faye Allen
- Fiscus Diamond Jewelers
- Flagg Family
- Frank and Janet Hanig
- Frederick May
- Gail Trail
- Garrett, Katie and Grace Miller
- Gary and Becky Lorenz
- Gary and Cheryll Goldstein
- Gary Jones
- Gary Presnall
- Gaumer Family
- Gavin and Sandi Jerome
- George and Patricia Tracy
- Girl Scout Troop 1001
- Girl Scout Troop 430
- Girl Scout Troop 437
- Girl Scout Troop 727
- Girl Scout Troop 791
- Girls Scout Troop 14
- Gordon and Marilyn Moon
- Graydon and Aaron Marzen
- Greg and Pamela Kenyon
- Greg and Renee Wuest
- Greg and Susan Mulhall
- Greg Kilbinger
- Greg Rasmussen
- Haberstroh Real Estate
- HDR Engineering, Inc.
- Heather and Sam Housker
- Heather, Brad, Brooke and Luke Lilienthal
- Helen Nelson
- Henry and Rose Jennings
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church-Esther Circle
- Howard and Dorothy Reffner
- In Honor of Denny Warren
- In Honor of Josie B. Johnson
- In Honor of Ryann Marzen
- Ingram Entertainment
- Inland Truck Parts Company
- Jolene and Ober Anderson
- Iowa British Car Club
- Iowa Energy Basketball
- J.M. and Sharon Zenor
- Jacquie Holm-Smith
- Jakrey Myers
- James and Maridine Anderlik
- James and Peggy Doeden
- Jane and Ernie Foster
- Jane Warren
- Janice Mechem
- Jason and Rachel Huegel
- Jason Royce and Julie Fichtner
- Jeff and Christi Hegstad
- Jeff and Jennifer Ringwald
- Jeff and Jenny Lounsberry
- Jeff and Meagan Patterson
- Jeff and Sara Janes Family
- Jeff Johnson
- Jeff Stewart
- Jennifer and Vance Denny
- Jennifer Garrels
- Jennifer Rice
- Jenny and Wade Thompson
- Jerry and Joetta Akers
- Jerry and Terri Turnbull
- Jerry Tegels
- Jessica Larson
- Jill and Jon Norris
- Jim and Patricia Hallihan
- Jim Orsland
- Jim Snell and Jill Leonard
- Joan and Mark Bettle
- Jodey Bretthauer
- Jodi Schlenker
- Joe and Jodi Baker
- Joseph Harrison
- John and Katherine Heim
- John Doyle
- John Gaspari
- John Goetz
- John J. Kaberna
- John Peterson
- John Wheeler
- Jolene Vermeer
- Jon and Miriam Strum
- Jose and Shelley Laracuente
- Josh and Sandra Rohrer
- Joyce Ouverson - Tastefully Simple
- Judith Loehrer
- Judith Mertens
- Judy and Dave Dirks
- Judy Jones and Kimberly Perilta
- Judy Schaffer
- Julie O'Meara
- Julie Tarbox
- Justyn Fox
- Karen and Lee Eggers
- Karen Bellis
- Karin Wiberg
- Karla and Andy Cazett
- Karla Kasper
- Kate Banasiak
- Katie and Nathan Overberg
- Katie Lundstrom
- Keith Hageman
- Kelly and Jeannie Ault
- Kenneth Thimpson Trust
- Kevin and Debby Hudachek
- Kevin and Linda Koester
- Kevin Melcher
- Kim Compton
- Kimberly Pezzetti
- Kirk Schwiete
- Kiwanis Club of Nevada
- Kiwanis Club of Perry
- Kona Ice
- Kyle and Kristin Lattina
- Kyle Greenley
- LaBounty Family Chiropractic
- Landen P. Jennings
- Lane and Carmen Davis
- Larry and Amy Bryant Family
- Larry and Linda Cox
- Larry and Linda Wellendorf
- Larry and Sharon Davis
- Laura and Ryan Housel
- Lee Breitkreutz
- Lettah Thompson
- Linda Pawson - In Honor Of
- Link Associates - Employees and Consumers
- Lisa and Robert Loiola
- Loraine Hardin
- Loren and Patricia Frazier
- Lori Bonz
- Louis Vander Linden
- Luke and Lisa Carlson
- Macie Langstraat
- Marcia Wilkinson
- Mark and Jean Murphy
- Mark and Jill Heston
- Mark and Laura Fincham
- Mark and Marilyn Lane
- Mark and Melanie Ellison
- Mark and Paula Caskey
- Mark and Rose Limke
- Mark and Staci Madetzke
- Mark R. Gray, Whitfield and Eddy, PLC
- Marti Jo McBee
- Marvin and Lori Debner
- Mary Ann Lautzehiser
- Mary Tomlinson
- Matt and Wendy Marckmann
- Matthew and Kara McGarvey
- Matthew Bailey and Cynthia Haynes
- Maurice Turcotte
- Max, Jack and Josie McTaggart
- Melanie Lee
- Melanie Rogotzke
- Meredith Corporation
- Merlin and Mary Santjer
- Metro Waste Authority
- Michael and Betty Perry
- Michael and Nadine Kastner
- Michelle Hamilton
- Michelle Yoshimura
- Mike and Donna Smith
- Mike Beck
- Modern Woodman of America
- Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wahlig
- Nancy Carr
- Nancy Lungren
- Nancy Melton
- Nessa Doria
- Nicholas Smith
- Nicki Lamb
- Northeast Elementary
- Northview Middle School
- Northwest Elementary
- One Source Tax and Accounting Services
- Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church
- Patrice Ryerson
- Patricia Moore
- Patrick and Barbara McCarty
- Paul and Eva Moritz
- Paul and Kelly Carew
- PEO Chapter LQ
- Phil and Janice Launspach
- Prairie Trail Elementary
- Randy and Cathy Davis
- Remington Homes
- Rex and Julie McClaflin
- Richard Gubbels
- Richard Jacavino
- Richard Rewerts
- Richard Schuett
- Rick and Mary Hermann
- Robert and Barbara Lanning
- Robert and Dale Naylor
- Robert and Maria Schweers
- Robert Coon
- Robert Eimers
- Robert Francis
- Rock Creek Elementary
- Roger and LouAnn Demaray
- Roger and Pamala Reinke
- Ron and Holly Vos
- Ron and Libby Tourte
- Ron and Vicky Nagel
- Rosemary Cavalieri
- Roy and Liz Park
- Russell Laird
- Ruth Ryan
- Ryan and Carissa Williams
- Ryan and Cindi Auth
- Sallie Zimmerman
- Sally Fisher
- Sam Billmeyer
- Samuel and Mary Bernabe
- Sara and Ryan Jackson
- Sarah and Brian Hicks
- Sarah Ostrem
- Scott and Danielle Adams
- Scott and Steph Wilson Family
- Shana Lancaster
- Sharlyn Hulling
- Shelly and Steve Lundberg
- Shirley R. Ide
- Smart Art, Inc,
- Southeast Elementary
- Spensley Family
- Spontaneous Boutique
- Steph Seymour
- Stephen and Kathleen Doohen
- Stephen Smythe
- Steve and Cheri Chance
- Steve and Linda Lounsberry
- Steve Fausch
- Steve Van Oort
- Steven and Colette Wall
- Steven and Jennifer Faber
- Steven Cooper
- Struthers Bros, Kawasaki-Suzuki, Inc.
- Suku Radia
- Susan and Dylan Kopriva
- Susan Johnson
- Ted and Sarah Rapp
- Teresa and Virgil Carroll
- Terrace Elementary
- Terrace Elementary PTO
- Terry and Jack Sabol
- Terry Ann McAnally
- Terry Moore
- Thayne Ireland
- The Clubhouse Learning Center
- Thomas and Carol McGarvey
- Thomas Carpenter
- Thomas S Foley
- Thomas Spangler
- Tiffani Knox Knapp
- Tim and Nikki Harrison
- Tim and Sue Jennings
- Tim Lallier
- Todd and Amy Ellgren
- Todd and Tammy Larson
- Tonya and Bryan Walker
- Treasure House
- Trent Murphy
- Troy and Dawn Gustofson
- Urich Family
- Valerie Orcutt
- Verne and Jeanne Balk
- Vicki Murken
- Vickie Wright
- Virden and Margery Demaray
- Wayne Ball
- Wellmark Foundation
- Westwood Elementary
- Westwood Elementary PTO
- Wig and Pen Pizza Pub
- William and Tonia Rosener