The Miracle League of Plymouth has offered baseball for children and adults with disabilities since 2011. For families like the Sandulowiches, the impact shows up at school and at home.
Connor Sandulowich has played in the league for three years. His mother, Nicole Sandulowich, told The Plymouth Express that playing has boosted his confidence and helped him feel more at ease with other students, including during recess.
"We saw this as another safe place for Connor to play and be a kid," Nicole Sandulowich said in the feature, written by Emma Martel, an eighth-grader at West Middle School.
The family heard about the league from a former player before joining.
The league is a nonprofit that welcomes athletes with disabilities ages 5 and older at any ability level. Players do not need previous baseball experience. Games are played at Bilkie Family Field, a fully accessible diamond at 357 Theodore St. in Plymouth.
The field is named for co-founders Bob and Shari Bilkie, who launched the league alongside Debra Madonna. The first game was played Aug. 14, 2011, according to The Perspective, Salem High School's student newspaper.
Three age divisions keep the roster organized: Rookie (ages 5–12), Minor (ages 13–18) and Major (ages 19 and older). Families have a say in placement, with the league considering each athlete’s age and where they feel comfortable playing.
The fall 2026 season, which runs Sept. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 1, brought two roster changes. A new team, the Angels, joined the Minor Division, and the Cardinals moved up to the Major Division, creating a sixth adult team. The Major Division also plays Thursday night games at 6:30 p.m. under newly installed field lights, a first for the league, according to its current program information and homepage.
Players can request a volunteer buddy who cheers, assists and helps keep the game safe. Families can also serve as their athlete's buddy or request independent play, though a family member may be asked to help if needed. Nicole Sandulowich calls the buddies individual "cheer squads" and said their presence gives caregivers a chance to sit back and enjoy the game.
The league runs almost entirely on volunteers. Roles include buddies, announcers, umpires, photographers and Homer, a new mascot introduced in 2026. Shifts last about an hour and 20 minutes, and volunteers must be at least 12 years old. A parent or guardian must stay on-site for volunteers younger than 16. Starting with the fall 2026 season, all volunteers 18 and older must complete an annual background check, according to the league's volunteer page.
Off the diamond, the league hosts team bowling and a walking club during the winter, giving players time with teammates between seasons.
The Miracle League's reach extends into downtown Plymouth, too. In a Facebook announcement, the league outlined plans for an enclosed sensory tent at the Plymouth Ice Festival, offering guests somewhere quieter away from festival activity. The post named Meadowbrook Country Club, Eagles for Children, Meraki Autism Center and JAG Entertainment as supporters.
Registration for the fall season is closed. The fee is $75 per athlete and includes a personalized jersey and hat, with financial assistance available on request, according to the league’s baseball page.
Upcoming Miracle League dates:
- Sunday, Nov. 1 — Fall baseball season ends
- Sunday, Nov. 8 — Winter bowling and walking club sessions begin, according to the league’s homepage
