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 called Baseball Miracles that puts on baseball clinics for impoverished kids in some of the most remote places on the planet.  He said that you are going to be amazed by what this group does through the game of baseball. 

 

When I heard that Baseball Miracles was serving and organizing clinics and community outreach programs for the children at the City Dump in Mexico City, one of the most destitute areas in the world,  I was all in!  While in Mexico City I will never forget some of the images seared into my memory.  Hundreds of children emerged from behind piles of trash, coming down a path toward us.  For nearly 1,000 of them, the dump was where they lived and for most, where they have to work to simply earn enough from recyclables to afford one meal per day.  I couldn’t believe that this was reality.  However, we were about to turn sorrow into joy.  Renewed hope was on the horizon, as it was time for a grand slam day of baseball!

 

The little ones began to run with great excitement when they saw huge tents set up.  There were  hundreds of baseball gloves, baseballs, and bats out on large tables.  I could see tiny faces turn up the biggest smiles when they laid their little eyes on an entire abandoned dirt field that had been turned into the field of dreams.   Then, I met Derek.  That was when things really changed.

                           

The four year old little boy had lost his parents.  He was one of the many orphans who had been forced to the streets due to extreme poverty. Little Derek ran over to me and motioned to a ball and wanted to play.  I gave him a high five and a glove and we were playing catch.  His bright smile warmed my heart in a way I had never experienced before.  Derek along with the other two hundred or so kids had one of the greatest days of his life.

 

See, what Derek and the other underserved and impoverished children need are champions like you.  By teaming up with us at Baseball Miracles you can make a profound difference in the lives of children who are starving for hope.  When you give a child like Derek a day they never will forget it does something special, it breathes new life into them.  By sharing your treasure, generous supporters like yourself are able to allow children to be heard, to be recognized and to experience love.  Kids like Derek then understand that they are not forgotten and they matter. 

 

Watching each child’s face light up when they put on their very own brand new baseball glove and Baseball Miracles T shirt was priceless.   Teaching the kids how to run the bases, field ground balls and catching pop flies was phenomenal. The best part for me though was watching their facial expressions when they got up to bat, hit the ball, and everyone cheered for them!  Children like Derek were proud and they were recognized.  

 

A miracle happened that day for those kids in Mexico City.  Inside a dump amidst piles of trash, there was a 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 about Baseball Miracles is that it's all about showing up and providing some hope.  You are that hope and you can make a miracle happen in the life of a child.  It’s time to step up to the plate, these children need miracle makers like you!

 

Sincerely,

Dan Jason                                          

Baseball Miracles Missions Director