NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Saturday was Opening Day at the new Mirolo Dream Field in the Columbus suburb of New Albany, but it’s not just any old baseball diamond.
What You Need To Know
- Mirolo baseball field opens, helping people with special needs
- The project took four years to put together in New Albany
- Dr. Kevin Klingele, the chief of Orthopedic Surgery at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital helped make it happen
Dr. Kevin Klingele, chairman of “The Miracle League” of New Albany, said the project has been four years in the making.
“To get to this point, it took a lot of people in this community, all over Central Ohio and all over the United States actually,” said Klingele. “A lot of people believe in this and you can see why.”
“The Miracle League” is a national sports league for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities.
Kellie Bieser said this is the first time her son JJ will have the chance to play baseball.
“Can you see the smile on my face? I can’t wipe it off,” said Bieser. “It’s a really big deal just because it’s not just baseball for him, this is him getting to be like other kids. This is him getting to play a game.”
She and her family adopted the 16-year-old three years ago.
He has cerebral palsy and Kliengele was his surgeon at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“To let this come full circle today where JJ is running the bases because of Klingele making this field happen, making this league happen, but also very personally making JJ’s mobility happen.”
Klingele said the community support and seeing many of his patients play is rewarding.
“The fact we got here today, you can see the happiness, the smiles and the players and the buddies in the community,” said Klingele.
The first “Miracle League” field opened in Georgia in 2000.
