About the East Valley Miracle League

The Mission of The East Valley Miracle League is to: 

• Provide opportunities for children w/ disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless their abilities.
• Promote community support and sponsorship of the East Valley Miracle League.
• Promote construction of special facilities which meet the unique needs of the East Valley Miracle League players and their families.

East Valley History

 In September 2004 the Andrew and Kamryn Hodson-Puhler sat in front of their television on Sunday night to watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumble. What they did not expect was to be introduced a very special baseball league for children. By the end of the special they realized this was Gods calling for them in their community. The next morning a call was made to Diane Alford at the National Miracle League Association in Conyers, Ga. They soon became members of the National Association and were on the way to bringing a Miracle Field to the East Valley community. Our Board of Directors and volunteers in the area are setting our goals for Fall 2006 to have a field completed. Channels 3 and 6 here is the Valley are working closely with our East Valley League. We are scheduled for many events throughout the year to educate people about the East Valley Miracle League. See our schedule of events page for more details.

Economics

Census Bureau Reports as of the year 2000 that there are 5.2 million children with physical and/or mental disabilities living in this country. 

• Of that total number 45,945 are children between the ages 5-20 and are living in the state of Arizona.
• The Bureau’s report indicates there are approximately 14,809 children between the ages of 5-20 in the East Valley with physical and/or mental disabilities.
• There is a need for recreational programming for these children within our community.

Staff Resources

Board of Directors:

President- Kamryn Hodson-Puhler

Ø     CEO East Valley Miracle League Inc.

Vice President- Jeffrey Fleetham

Ø     Fleet Construction Inc.

Chairman- Michael Medoro

Ø     COO Easter Seals Arizona

Vice Chairman- Justin Finestone

Ø     Media and Marketing for City of Mesa

Treasurer- Mike Chapnek

Ø     Bank of America

Secretary- Angela Fackrell

Ø      Sales Mgr Group Imaging

Advisory Board Members:

Andrew Hodson-Puhler-  Co-Founder

Diane Alford- Executive Director Miracle League Assoc.

Geoff Hosthetter- Angels Baseball

Molly Stockwell- Ophus- WB 6 and Channel 3

Cristina Carlino- philosophy cosmetics

Leonidas Condos LLC- Condos Law Firm

Marty Condos- General Mgr Condos Law Firm

Ø     100% of contribution and funding goes back into the program. Volunteers currently make up our entire organization. 

National History

The Miracle League was founded in Conyers in 1998 by the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association. The league began with 35 members on four teams. By the spring of 1999 it had more than doubled to 80 players.

Soon, the Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers stepped forward to form a non-profit Foundation to raise money for a special field. John Schuerholz, the General Manager of the Atlanta Braves, agreed to serve as Honorary Chairman. A baseball complex that included the first Miracle League field was completed in April 2000. The custom designed field, with a cushioned synthetic turf to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts and no barriers allowed all kids, no matter their disability the chance to play baseball. By opening day the League had grown to 100 players.

The Miracle League has rules that are a bit different than the conventional ones. Each player gets to bat every inning. All players are safe and get to score a run before the inning is over. Each Team always wins. League umpires in other States have said, “This is the only League where no one gets mad at us “

Buddies, called ANGLES IN THE OUTFIELD, assist most players. These are mainstream children. At our Field we hope to use some of the students at East Valley schools come to know these very special players and make friends..

The Miracle League has been spotlighted on CNN, MSNBC, Fox Sports, the Today Show and countless local telecasts project to help see this field completed. The League has also been featured in People Magazine, Family Circle and USA Today. In 2002 the Miracle League received the Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr.

“EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CHANCE TO PLAY BASEBALL"