There are defining moments in everyone’s life when things radically change. In January of 2020, I hopped on an airplane and headed to Mexico City. A friend of mine had told me about this organization that put on baseball clinics for kids in some of the most impoverished places on the planet. He said that you are going to be amazed by what this group does through the game of baseball. As a longtime baseball player and lifelong fan of the game, this opportunity sounded like something I could have dreamt up. Meeting John Tumminia, founder of Baseball Miracles, Kyle Bamberger, Mike McCarthy, and the rest of the Miracles team on the first afternoon in a city park where we served the homeless; told me right away that this group was the real deal. Right out of the batter's box, I received a warm welcome and knew that this mission was going to be something incredibly special.
When I heard that Baseball Miracles was serving and organizing a program for the children at the City Dump, one of the most destitute places on the planet, I was all in! The experience I had with the Miracles Team and the kids blew me away and was one of the most joy filled moments of my life. I am honored and proud to say that I am now an official member of the Baseball Miracles Family and am continuously astounded by the tremendous work that is done by this top notch organization. The love and desire to serve Christ in all that is done through Baseball Miracles is the main ingredient for me that sets this organization apart. The selfless service of the team members to bring hope, joy, and light to places around the globe in need, has left an imprint on my mind and heart in a profound way.
During our mission in Mexico City, I had the privilege to help put on a day long clinic where we taught the kids at the city dump how to play the game of baseball. The Miracles team made this special day one that all of those children will remember forever. I could not get over the generosity, as each kid received a new glove, a Baseball Miracles shirt, backpack, baseball, and player cards. Watching their faces light up when I put the glove on their hand and they realized it was theirs is a tremendous memory. Teaching the kids how to run the bases, field ground balls and catching pop flies was phenomenal. The best for me though was watching them hit. Each kid grabbed that bat and put on the helmet with such enthusiasm. They dug their heels into the dirt with great determination. They were so excited to hear the crack of the bat and watch the baseball soar through the air. The culminating moment of a day of fun in the sun where we shared ball park franks and signed autographs for the kids, was a big baseball game out on the dirt field. Every kid got a chance to come up to bat and players were spread out in the field at each position. I was blessed to be the all time pitcher during that game on the diamond, a hall of fame moment for me.
As I watched every kid hit the ball in a live baseball game I knew that God was present on that field. A miracle happened that day for those 150 kids in Mexico City. A dump, piles of trash surrounding us, horrible stench, a language barrier, and yet none of that mattered. The game of baseball transcended it all. It was all about a glove, a bat, and a ball that brought great joy to the kids and their families. What I have learned from this time on mission with the Baseball Miracles team is that it's all about showing up. Sharing the game of baseball and loving on the kids is pretty simple. When we allow God to do His work, then miracles happen. And that is exactly what took place, another grand slam hit right out of the park!
The Baseball Miracles team includes many volunteers who dedicate part of their life to serving underprivileged kids, people with disabilities, and communities globally through the game. John Tumminia is the founder of Baseball Miracles and is a hall of fame scout having worked many years for the Chicago White Sox. The pros have become involved in the organization with the likes of Mike McCarthy (former Red Sox organization) and Virgil Vasquez, former pitcher of the Detroit Tigers & Pittsburgh Pirates. Both of these pros are now coaches for the Twins organization. Clint Hurdle, the long time MLB pro and former Manager of the Pirates is on the board of directors and Kyle Bamberger of the Cleveland Indians ball club runs operations.
Check out our website: https://www.baseballmiracles.org/
Baseball Miracles, Inc. Contact Info:
Email: djason@baseballmiracles.org
Instagram: baseballmiracles
Twitter: @basebmiracles
Facebook: @baseballmiracles
No comments:
Post a Comment