Vietnam Veterans Team With Miracle League For A Game Of Baseball

Our Plymouth-Canton Vietnam Veterans, teamed up with The Miracle League of Plymouth for a baseball game on June 1st, and it was a wonderful pairing of two great community organizations working together to give our children a fun day of baseball.

The plans for this event began when VFW/VVA member, Bob Williams offered to donate one of his beautiful, hand made American Flags to the Miracle League. After a couple of conversations with Miracle League Executive Director, Kelly Hermann, it seemed like a great opportunity to not only donate the flag, which will be displayed at Bilkie Field, but for a group of our veterans to come on out, and participate in a game as Buddy Coaches.

Vietnam Veteran, Bob Dew summed up the day this way:

“This was my first time at the Miracle League Field to participate in a baseball game event. I was very impressed how the players were enjoying themselves before, during, and after the game. It appears to be a highlight in their challenging day. We were not sure what we were going to be doing during the game, but a short explanation by the coaches was all that was needed. The field itself is all lined out, and has a rubber base composite floor, detailed to appear as a regular baseball diamond. The dugouts on the same level are large enough for the players and support volunteers to move around, getting in and out for actual play.

Our job was to support each player in helping them get safely around the bases, and while in the field to ensure they were not hit by a ball in play. There were two teams, and all participants played two innings. Each player batted and played their position with support personnel assisting if needed to ensure their safety. Some of the players were in wheelchairs, while others were on foot depending on their limitations. By having support volunteers to assist the player’s, their parents were able to sit in the bleachers and cheer on their kids as they played the game. It was a rewarding experience seeing the enjoyment on each of players faces, and the parents cheering on their kids as they enjoyed their game time.”

Dennis Waling, who is a longtime AVVA member, sang the National Anthem for the game, and by all accounts, he did a great job with that, as well as volunteering to be a Buddy Coach.

VVA 528 President, Jerry Thomason, threw out the first pitch, and said, “I found the whole experience humbling, and am very happy that our guys were able to help out at a game, and experience this great baseball league.”

The Miracle League of Plymouth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children with physical and mental disabilities an opportunity to play organized baseball. This league is
non-competitive, with all players getting to bat and circle the bases each inning. Bilkie Field
is a baseball field located in Downtown Plymouth with a specialized surface to allow individuals with varying disabilities to play baseball.

If you would like to donate to Miracle League, volunteer for games, or for more information on having your child join a Miracle League team, you can get all of the information you need at
https://www.miracleleagueofplymouth.com/home.html

Our Plymouth-Canton Veterans just completed a busy 3 week stretch, in which they participated in Memorial Day Ceremonies, volunteered for Miracle League, and this past Saturday, hosted their 24th Annual Fishing Derby at Hines Park. Our Plymouth-Canton veterans are a huge presence in our community, and not enough people know about all of the good things that they do.

If you would like to donate to, or become involved with our Plymouth-Canton VVA 528 as a veteran, or as a non-veteran (AVVA) you can get more information at their website. You can also find out about their many community events right here: https://www.vva528.org/