miracle league field west hartford

Max and Eli Kopelman, 5, share their enthusiasm for baseball at the opening day ceremony for the Miracle League Field in West Hartford.

League organizers Scott Franklin (left) and Mike Michaud are West Hartford volunteers focused on bringing the Miracle League Field to life.

Both men are executive board members of WHLL.

West Hartford resident Ronit Shoham is another force behind the town’s Little League. Shoham is a founder and executive board member.

“Buddy” Ken Glaser collects player signatures on his official Miracle League of Connecticut cap. Max Kopelman add his name to the hat.

Want to help out as a Buddy? Contact info@miracleleaguect.org.

State Senator Beth Bye joined the celebration in West Hartford,thanking volunteers, and members of the state’s House and Senate,

for the successful team effort in a difficult economy.

Hall High School student Abby Garneau gets a bouquet of flowers and a kiss after singing The Star-Spangled Banner.

Mayor Scott Slifka, (left) recalls brother, Jonathan Slifka, (right) as the first child in a wheelchair to play baseball in West Hartford.

Joanthan Slifka, born with spina bifida, caught the first pitch at the dedication ceremony. A Buddy gets a hug from a player on the field.

About 50 children from the region will play on the new field this season. There are three Miracle League teams

the Scrappers, the Sea Dogs and the Rockhounds

About $800,000 was raised to fund the new field, plus a barrier free playground, concession stand, restrooms and a typical baseball field. The

plans also include softball ball and combination fields.

Siblings Jessica and Brenan Puiia came from South Windsor for Brendan’s ballgame vs. the Rockhounds, the first official game of the season.

The “Let's Play Ball for All” bracelets sell for $5 each. The bracelet slogan/sales was the Mitzvah Project of player Marcus Apter.

So far more than $15,000 has been collected.

The Rockhounds pose for the first official team photo of the day.

A Buddy assists a Rockhounds player heading toward home plate.