Miracle League partners with Northeast Ohio seniors for non-competitive baseball game

MEDINA — Players from the Miracle League of Northeast Ohio and seniors from the Village of St. Edward came together on Friday to play a friendly game of baseball at Sam Masi Park in Medina on Friday. Ken Richardson from the Miracle League of Northeast Ohio said the organization is for individuals of all ages who have a physical or mental disability. Miracle League games comprise two non-competitive innings where everyone gets to bat and run all the bases, which allows every participant to celebrate. "They see their brothers and sisters play all sorts of sports, and in many cases they've tried to play in those sports also," he said. "The people that run those sports try very hard to include them, but when it's competitive, it makes it very difficult. This is for fun and enjoyment." Friday's event was "Friends through the Ages" where the Miracle League invited seniors to play on their baseball field to connect the two groups, Richardson said. "There's exercise, and they're getting out and socializing with others," he said. "Even though they have different disabilities, they accept each other readily because even though there's differences with their disabilities, they go through similar situations." Carl Bako from the Village at St. Edward Foundation said the organization aims to get its residents from its Fairlawn, Green and Wadsworth campuses together for a fun activity a few times a year, since it is critical to keep seniors active and enjoying their lives. "When a lot of these folks come into senior living, it can be stressful since a lot of them lived in their same house for decades and decades," he said. "We don't want them to come to us just to exist. We want them to have a good time every day, give them opportunities for activities, discussion groups, live entertainment and things like today." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.