MILWAUKEE – July 14, 2010 – A group of local business leaders and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee have partnered together to establish the Miracle League of Milwaukee, the area’s first universally-accessible baseball league for children with physical or mental disabilities. The Miracle League, which will built at the John C. Cudahy YMCA, will provide and sustain baseball programs for children and youth with disabilities in the greater metropolitan Milwaukee area.

The focus of the Miracle League is to assist all players in their development of social skills, physical activity, and self-confidence. The Y and the Miracle League of Milwaukee believe that everyone deserves the chance to enjoy baseball and be as independent as possible.

“On behalf of the entire Advisory Board of the Miracle League of Milwaukee, we are elated at the opportunity to partner with the Y to expand the reach of baseball to our community,” said Casey Brunner, co-founder of the Miracle League of Milwaukee. “Not only will the Miracle League fill a void in Milwaukee by providing children with special needs the opportunity to participate in an organized baseball league; the Miracle League of Milwaukee will also foster an environment in which the League’s athletes can make new friends, be part of a team, and experience improvement in their motor skills, attention and self-esteem.”

“We are thrilled to announce this new partnership and provide an opportunity for children with disabilities to participate in Miracle League,” said Jon Lange, Vice President of Program Services for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “Through this wonderful opportunity, we are able to further commit ourselves to strengthening our communities through programs that build on developing the potential of every child and teen.”

The initial plans for the Miracle League of Milwaukee include the construction of a baseball field (with dugouts, bleachers and a scoreboard), a concession stand, handicap-accessible restrooms, and a handicap-accessible playground. To jumpstart the League’s fundraising, a family foundation with local ties has pledged to match the first $250,000 in donations to the Miracle League of Milwaukee.

The Miracle League is a charitable organization that provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. The League requires a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that is handicap-accessible, accommodating wheelchairs and other assertive devices. Presently, there are approximately 100 completed Miracle Leagues in the country, including four in Wisconsin: Fox Valley, Green Bay, Kenosha, and LaCrosse.

In addition, the Miracle League of Milwaukee has been selected by the Milwaukee Brewers as a Major League Baseball Pepsi Refresh Project idea. The Miracle League of Milwaukee will compete with the ideas of 14 other Major League Baseball teams and vie for fans’ votes in a five-week-long online contest. The charity that receives the most votes will receive a $200,000 grant to help support and fund its project. Voting, which began on July 13^th, concludes on Tuesday, August 17^th. To vote for the Miracle League of Milwaukee as a Pepsi Refresh Project idea, log on to www.mlb.com/pepsirefresh and click on Brewers; or, text “Brewers” to 76462.