15 MLB Clubs Vie for Grant as Fan Vote Will Decide the Winner

MILWAUKEE – In recent years, Milwaukee Brewers fans have helped make dreams come true for Brewers players, turning out to “Vote Brewers!” in staggering numbers and elect their favorite players to Major League Baseball’s All Star Game. Now fans will have the same opportunity to vote online for a grant to build the first-ever “Miracle League” Field in Milwaukee.

 Starting now, the Milwaukee Brewers along with 14 other teams across Major League Baseball are asking fans to join them in making a difference in America’s communities. As part of the Pepsi Refresh Project, each Club has presented a proposed community project for support, campaigning for fan votes and an ultimate $200,000 grant to fulfill the project. Fans wishing to vote for the Miracle League of Milwaukee have until Tuesday, August 17 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, to cast their votes at www.mlb.com/PepsiRefresh or via text by typing “BREWERS” to 76462.

 The winning charity will be determined by the one that receives the most votes.

 Here in Milwaukee, the designated project is the construction of the Miracle League of Milwaukee, the area’s first universally-accessible baseball league for children with physical or mental disabilities. Formed as an organization in 2009, the Miracle League of Milwaukee hopes to open up play in 2012 as an organized, non-competitive baseball league for children, ages 4-19, with special needs. The Miracle League complex would be built at the John C. Cudahy YMCA, located at 9050 N. Swan Rd. (91st and Brown Deer) in Milwaukee.

 Prince Fielder has been designated as the Brewers player representative for the project, while Brewers Vice President – General Counsel Marti Wronski and Director - Business Operations Teddy Werner are spearheading the project as Board members of the Miracle League. In addition, Casey and Sarah McGehee have agreed to work as spokespersons for the Miracle League of Milwaukee.

 “The Miracle League of Milwaukee is thrilled to have been selected by the Milwaukee Brewers as its Pepsi Refresh Project idea,” said Brewers Vice President – General Counsel Marti Wronski.  “Given Brewers fans’ passion for this community and their history of successfully getting out the vote, the Miracle League of Milwaukee already has a head start in its effort to win the $200,000 grant – getting Milwaukee that much closer to building a true field of dreams for children with special needs.”

 The Miracle League, which will have organized teams and a summer-long schedule with multiple games per week, would fill an important need in Milwaukee by providing a recreational opportunity for youth with special needs and their families. Due to the physical and competitive barriers of playing on the uneven surfaces of natural grass fields, children with special needs cannot participate in conventional youth leagues. The Miracle League, through a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices (while helping to prevent injuries), creates a baseball environment that is handicap-accessible.

 The League also intends to build a concession stand, handicap-accessible restrooms, and a handicap-accessible playground, of which there are few in the five-county region around Milwaukee. Currently, there are four Miracle Leagues in Wisconsin: Fox Valley, Green Bay, Kenosha, and La Crosse.

Contact: Brewers Media Relations
414-902-4500