Dubuque, IA – Hours before the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds faced off in Dyersville for the 2022 MLB at Field of Dreams, young players wearing the teams’ uniforms took to a specially designed field just down the road for a game of their own.
For the second consecutive year, FOX Sports sponsored the Field of Miracles game for the Miracle League of Dubuque, a local non-profit organization providing children in the greater Iowa area living with disabilities the chance to play baseball. MLB-official and customized Cubs and Reds jerseys were donated to the 30 players by FOX Sports, each bearing the players’ names and favorite numbers.
“It is a special day for the players and families the field serves,” said Merle Santjer, Miracle League of Dubuque’s Co-Founder and President. “We are excited to once again partner with FOX Sports to create this opportunity for our athletes.”
Last year, FOX Sports donated more than $13,000 worth of specialized baseball equipment to the league to support its official launch and continued operation in honor of the inaugural MLB at Field of Dreams game. FOX Sports’ backing of the Miracle League of Dubuque furthers its efforts to create fighting chances for all athletes to play and access sports.
“It’s very important having FOX Sports behind us and being able to coordinate this with the game out in Dyersville,” said Coach Tom Witry, Miracle League of Dubuque’s Co-Founder. “It’s just a great atmosphere for our community and for any kid with any kind of disability – you can’t beat that.”
Dubuque Mayor Pro Tem David Resnick lead the opening ceremony which included a performance of the national anthem by a local barbershop chorus and official lineup announcements. Players from each of the city’s three high school baseball and softball teams worked as “field angels” during the game helping each athlete with batting, fielding and baserunning alongside several members of the Field of Dreams movie’s original cast of “ghost players”.
To learn more about the Miracle League of Dubuque and its mission to provide children and adults of all abilities the chance to play baseball, visit MiracleLeagueDubuque.com.
