Miracle League of Ohio Valley and Wheeling YMCA

Who We Are

The Miracle League of the Ohio Valley is a community-based sports program for children and adults with all types of mental and physical disabilities. We provide everyone of mental or physical handicap the opportunity to play baseball and other activities.

In partnership with the YMCA of Wheeling, the league has a spring and fall season along with many other sports activities throughout the year.

Our Mission

Bringing people together of various abilities in order to discover their common ground and find joy in serving others.

Core Values

Children and adults who are disabled are people first, and happen to have a disability. We teach and show respect with this philosophy in mind.
We can show the community how to communicate, engage and experience the simple joy in life with all people- no matter the physical or mental ability of a human being.
Every person should have the chance to play sports, we never turn a person away.

Make an online donation

What Can You Do?

One of the most important parts of The Miracle League is the “buddy” system – pairing each player with an able bodied friend to assist them on and off the field during the game. Guidance is generously offered by coaches, organization leaders and family members. We are looking for people who are willing to donate their time, a little or a lot, to help us out in this capacity. Buddies can be fellow schoolmates, parents, college or high school students, athletes, business leaders, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or any individual or group who wishes to volunteer their time to give the child the gift of baseball and a smile that touches us all. Become a “buddy” and you will be captivated by how much you are needed and cherished by the kids and their families. Volunteering doesn’t have to be a full time job, and can be flexible to fit your schedule. If you or your group is interested in becoming an integral part of our “buddy” program please email us at lorraine.mccardle@wheelingymca.org.

Please consider donating to our Miracle League. Monetary donations go directly to our funding. Make checks payable to the MLOV/YMCA and can be sent to 55 Lounez Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Needs And Opportunity

According to the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities, there are more than 33,000 West Virginians that have a disability. Among this population, there was an unmet need for recreational opportunities that help provide a well-rounded experience for the players and family. In Wheeling, that need was met with the Miracle League. Currently we have about 100 players. No other program like the Miracle League assures parents and families that all safety elements are in place to provide a safe, successful game experience for the players.

With our new partnership with the YMCA of Wheeling, our sports and activities for our players have expanded. We now offer soccer and football clinics, volleyball, basketball, cheering, swimming with much more in the works.

The next goal is to build an all-inclusive playground. The $300,000 project will provide a barrier-free playground area to ALL children and adults, of ALL abilities. It is a place to bring kids together to help develop and strengthen essential skills for life as they learn to play together in an unstructured, inclusive environment. To make a donation to the playground or for naming rights, please contact Lorraine McCardle at 304.281.3054.

FALL BALL SCHEDULE

Saturdays

Sept 7

10am Mets vs Reds

11:30am Pirates vs Angels

Sept 14

10am Pirates vs Reds

11:30am Mets vs Angels

Sept 21

10am Angels vs Reds

11:30am Pirates vs Mets

Sept 28

10am Angels vs Pirates

11:30am Reds vs Pirates

Oct 5

10am Angels vs Mets

11:30am Reds vs Pirates

Oct 12

10am Mets vs Pirates

11:30am Reds vs Angels

Sundays

Sept 8

11am Cardinals vs Dodgers

12:30am Indians vs Yankees

Sept 15

11am Indians vs Dodgers

12:30am Cardinals vs Yankees

Sept 22

11am Indians vs Cardinals

12:30am Yankees vs Dodgers

Sept 29

11am Yankees vs Indians

12:30am Dodgers vs Cardinals

Oct 6

11am Yankees vs Cardinals

12:30am Dodgers vs Indians

Oct 13

11am Dodgers vs Yankees

12:30am Cardinals vs Indians

Halloween Game/ Party TBA