By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – The Miracle League of Central Illinois is “something special,” according to Bloomington-Normal native turned Major League pitcher Brock Stewart.
The Normal West High School graduate went on to pitch at Illinois State before heading to the MLB. Stewart is preparing for another season with the Las Angeles Dodgers, the same team which gave him his first MLB action last season.
Stewart, whose uncle helped found the Central Illinois chapter of the league, was able to meet with Miracle League players and families in Bloomington.
“I’ve actually worked with the Miracle League. I was one of the Miracle League Buddies, as they call it,” said Stewart. “We went to the Pony League complex once with my teammates at ISU, and then the Miracle League actually came to our field at ISU and played a few games.
“It’s just a blast to see the smiles on the kid’s faces and kind of give back to them.”
Stewart added the players have a clear love for baseball.
“When we played the games at ISU and stuff you can really tell that they absolutely loved running the bases and just being out there playing catch,” said Stewart. “It’s a blast for sure.”
The Miracle League provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe way to play on baseball. Currently, more than two hundred Miracle League organizations operate across the country.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
