Every Game Is A Tie; Everyone Wins: Welcome To The Miracle League
September 29, 2009
Every game ends in a tie. Every player hits; every player scores. There are no strikeouts, no errors. Everybody wins.
Welcome to the Miracle League.
It’s a baseball league for disabled and special needs persons. With players from ages 3 to 63, there are 14 teams that play on the two fields at the Mitchell Homes Miracle League Park on Nine Mile Road. The fall season started Saturday, and will run ever Saturday until November 7.
“Abigail rounds second! She looks good this year, all decked out and playing some ball,” announcer Crystal Martinez says during an afternoon game at the Miracle League. “Loooook at her go! She’s headed home! She scores! Yeah Abi!”
That’s just the way a Miracle League game goes — always.
The players are in wheelchairs and walkers. Some handicaps are mental, some are physical.
Joshua heads toward the batter’s box in his walker to take a swing at the ball with his “buddy”. Each player has a “buddy” assigned to them to help them hitch, catch, throw or run the field.
“Go Joshua!” Martinez announces. “Good job!”
In the end, the game between the Orioles and the Twins was tied, just as every game has ended in a tie for the past nine seasons. The stats for each of the 150 players will be the same at the end of the season — perfect.
“It’s a wonderful thing for these kids,” Martinez told NorthEscambia.com after the game. “It’s about them getting to play a sport that otherwise they could not play…it’s about the smiles. I love to say that they are all stars when I am announcing.”
“I think it is a great thing,” said Stephen Gruenwald of Pensacola. His son James, 5, plays Miracle League ball from his wheelchair. “He enjoys it very, very much. And he loves the people; the volunteers are one of the best things.”
Players and volunteers come from not just Pensacola, but Mobile, Crestview, Brewton and points in between. Everybody is a volunteer that participates with the Miracle League. The are paid only in smiles.
“It’s a beautiful thing. Everybody here does it for one reason” volunteer Larry Powell said, placing his hand over his heart. “It’s here, in your heart, for these kids.”
“We have a guy that was a Marine for 32 years,” Powell said. “He will sit on that field with the smallest child and help them. It really gets to you.”
Each of the two Pensacola Miracle League fields is made up of 180,000 pounds of recycled tires formed into tiles painted to match a regular field. It provides a softer landing spot for a hard fall, while still providing a good bounce for the hollow core ball that is also designed to lesson injury potential. There are two seasons at the park, spring and fall. The rubber surface gets too hot to play in the summer.
The Miracle League needs more volunteers to serve as buddies, work the concession booth, pickup trash and many more tasks around their area of the Nine Mile Road ballpark.
The public is always welcome and encouraged to cheer on the players.
“It’s a special place here,” Powell said. “Everyone should watch one of these games. It will touch you.”
For more information on Miracle League, or to volunteer, visit www.miracleleaguepensacola.org.
Pictured top: Abigail gets a high five after a base hit during a Miracle League game in Pensacola. Pictured top inset: James takes a swing: Pictured bottom inset: Headed for home. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Better Late Than Never: Ernest Ward Students To Receive Progress Reports Today
September 29, 2009
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School will receive their progress reports today — almost a week late.
The first nine-weeks progress reports were scheduled to be sent home with students last Wednesday afternoon, but many students in the county, including those at Ernest Ward, did not receive their report due to a software problem with the school district’s grading system.
If you have any questions, contact your child’s school.
Nice! Fall Is In The Air
September 29, 2009
A little bit of fall will be in the air today in North Escambia and surrounding areas, with overnight lows expected to dip into the low 50’s and perhaps even a few upper 40’s in some areas.
There is also Fire Weather Watch in effect for Tuesday due to humidity levels below 35 percent that will lead to an increased wildfire risk.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Century Approves $1.6 Million Water System Loan
September 28, 2009
The Town of Century has accepted a low interest loan that will automatically forgive $1.4 million in payments.
The town council approved the loan Monday afternoon, with one council member, Henry Hawkins, voting against it. The $1.6 million will pay for several water system improvements — including a new 500,000 gallon elevated water storage tank to improve system reliability and fire protection, two natural gas operated back-up generators to improve system reliability for the existing water treatment plants, 16,000 feet of six-inch water main and a booster station to provide fire protection, improve pressure and system reliability in a portion of the existing water system franchise area.
With a low interest loan from the state, about $1.4 million in repayments will automatically be forgiven, according to Century Mayor Freddie McCall, under a federal stimulus money program.
“It’s like free money that we will never have to pay back,” McCall said. “We would get a $1.6 million project for $250,000.”
On the approximately $1.6 million loan, Century would be responsible for repaying only about $250,000, he said. Payments on the revolving loan will cost the town about $12,400 annually.
Minor Injuries In Davisville Highway 97 Crash Monday Morning
September 28, 2009
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle crash Monday morning on Highway 97.
The minor accident happened about 7:05 near the Davisville Community Church when the driver of a Chevrolet Trailblazer lost control and ran into a ditch. Firefighters were forced to use a shovel to dig dirt away from the driver’s door so that it could be opened to remove the female driver.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the incident.
Pictured: One person was injured in this accident near the Davisville Community Church on Highway 97 Monday morning. Pictured left: Firefighters used a shovel to dig out an area so that the driver’s door could be opened. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First Of Three Major Road Projects Gets Started In Century; Hwy. 29 In Molino, Hwy. 97 Next
September 28, 2009
The first of three major road projects in North Escambia is now underway in Century, and big resurfacing projects will begin before year’s end on Highway 29 in Molino and on Highway 97.
Century Drainage Improvements
A drainage system improvement project in Century will keep North Century Boulevard down to two lanes from about Henry to Cottage streets through the end of the year.
The Florida Department of Transportation is investing $480,159 in federal stimulus dollars into the project. The Town of Century will provide local matching funds with in-kind services to be provided by Escambia County on the project — services such as digging a necessary retention pond with county equipment and labor.
The project is set to be completed by the end of December, 2009.
Highway 29 Resurfacing Molino
A 4.55 mile stretch of Highway 29 is set to be resurfaced from Highway 97 north to just north of Pine Barren Road.
The $3,986,342 project, funded with federal stimulus dollars, is set to begin as early as December 4. It has a scheduled completion day of July 22, 2010.
Highway 97 Resurfacing
The entire length of Highway 97 from Highway 95A in Molino to the Alabama state line will be resurfaced beginning late this year.
The project is set to being as early as December 17 and continue through October 2, 2010. There is no major drainage work expected on the route’s 55 cross drains under the highway, with the exception of some possible changes near the intersection of Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road.
Existing 12 foot wide travel lanes and five foot paved shoulders will be milled and resurfaced. Highway 97 will remain at two lanes; this project does not include widening the road into a four-lane highway.
The 22.5 mile resurfacing project will cost $6,693,164.
Local Leaders Excited, But Cautious Over Possibility Of 5,000 New Jobs
September 28, 2009
The prospect of 5,000 new jobs near Bay Minette has local economic leaders excited — and a bit cautious.
Hybrid Kinetic Motors Corp. has big plans to produce 300,000 hybrid cars per year by 2013, and up to one million per year by 2017. Prior to the first vehicle rolling off the assembly line, there would be thousands of construction jobs for the facility to be located on 3,000 acres northeast of Bay Minette.
“I’m excited to hear that,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall, said after the announcement by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley McCall is also director of the Century Chamber of Commerce. “We would be close enough that some of our local people would go to work here.
Sheryl Vickery, executive director of the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, was also pleased to hear the announcement.
“A lot of people from Atmore used to work at Standard Furniture,” Vickery said. “It is going to help everyone within a 40 to 50 mile radius. I hope it will be a big impact for our area.”
Both Vickery and McCall expressed the same caution with their optimism — while the plant has been official announced, HK Motors Corp. must first secure well over a billion dollars in financing before the first shovel of dirt is turned.
“We have to be sit back and wait and hope this happens,” Vickery said.
McCall and Vickery said both Atmore and Century will be ready when the final official announcement comes to make sure their areas are ready for any spin-off companies that might need a location. When a large manufacturing company opens, smaller spin-off suppliers typically open in the surrounding area to provide goods and services to the main plant.
McCall knows first hand that announced industries do not always materialize. In 2008, a company announced it was creating 1,100 jobs with an electric car manufacturing facility in Century, but the owners of LHS EV dropped Century from their plans after they did not receive a $2.5 million grant to help them open their doors.
“We’ve been busy cleaning up the Helicopter Technologies building,” McCall said. “We’ll have it ready anytime anyone is interested.” The town recently acquired the 40,000 square foot building in the Century Industrial Park at a foreclosure auction. The town also has the former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company site available with 336,400 square feet of space on 38 acres.
NHS Homecoming Parade Continues To Grow; Still Time To Join In
September 28, 2009
(Updated With More Entries) Northview High School’s first annual Homecoming Parade on is shaping up to be a big event, and there is still time for you to sign up to take part.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and two sheriff’s department motorcycle units will lead the parade from Bratt Elementary to Northview High.
The Northview Tribal Beat band, Northview cheerleaders, NJROTC, FFA, volleyball team and cross country team will take part in the parade. They will be joined by the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Smith Tractor Company, Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders, Poarch Fire Department and Princess Danielle Martin, NHS Mascot Raylin Spence and floats from the senior, junior, sophomore and freshmen classes.
Other entries include Century Mayor Freddie McCall and his vintage car; McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue; Century and Ernest Ward Alumni float; Northview varsity and junior varsity football teams; Ms. Casters’ art class; and retiring NHS teachers Bobby Simpson, Lee Coleman, Darlene Lee and Lorenzo Jones. Craig Lowery will carry the grand marshals for the parade.
The school is also asking alumni from Northview, Ernest Ward and Century high schools to take part in the parade. Former football players, cheerleaders and band members are especially encourage to participate, but all alumni are welcome.
Everyone is encouraged to support the Chiefs and line the route for this first annual Northview High School homecoming parade. There is still plenty of time to enter the parade, call the school at (850) 327-6681 ext. 254. There is no charge to enter, but all entries must be approved by the sponsoring Northview DCT class. Candy throws are welcome; no beads or necklaces.
The DCT class will be throwing candy during the parade, and they are also selling parade t-shirts for $10. Contact any member of the DCT class to purchase a t-shirt.
The homecoming parade will depart Bratt Elementary School at 12:30 Friday afternoon and proceed east on Highway 4 to Northview High.
Church Honors Local Heroes
September 28, 2009
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was honored Sunday for over 25 years of service to McDavid and surrounding communities.
Most of the department’s 18 members were on hand Sunday morning at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia as the church devoted much of their morning worship service to recognizing “Station 9″. The event was Ray’s Chapel’s second annual event honoring the local volunteers. Children in the church presented each volunteer with a token of appreciation.
Prior to the formation of the McDavid VFD, calls in the McDavid area were answered by the Century Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s a very comforting feeling when that first responder shows up,” Mark Digmon, Ray’s Chapel member, said. He pointed a few similarities between churches and fire departments.
“Both of us should be here to serve the community,” he said. “Both us of are here in a time of need.”
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue answered 185 calls in the past year, the lowest number of runs among the county’s 15 volunteer stations. Most were medical and public assistance calls. There were no structure fire calls in the McDavid district during the last year, but the department did assist Century, Walnut Hill and Molino with several structure fire calls.
“We like that,” Eric Gilmore, McDavid chief, said of the department’s low call volume. While McDavid ran just 185 calls and other stations in the county, such as Ensley and Ferry Pass, ran over 1,500 each, the McDavid volunteers are just as prepared as any in the county.
In addition, Gilmore said the department has constructed several training areas behind their station where volunteers from Century, Walnut Hill and Molino meet for the four departments to train together.
“We are proud to serve the community,” the McDavid chief said.
“Why do some people run into danger instead of running away from it?” Ray’s Chapel Pastor Nathan Brown began his Sunday morning sermon.
“Sometimes risk is right…that is why we appreciate you guys today,” he told the McDavid volunteers.
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated in 1982 with a 1962 firetruck on loan from the Florida Division of Forestry. They purchased a 1948 Ford firetruck in 1983. The station was constructed on land purchased from what was then St. Regis Paper Company in 1984. Many more modern trucks and pieces of equipment were purchased over the years.
The department has 13 certified firefighters and two EMT’s. Members of the department include: Eric Gilmore, Elton Gilmore, Kenny Malone, Phyllis Malone, Ben Gilmore, Chris Kinley, Michelle Kinley, Larry Kinley, Matt Carter, Matt Gilmore, William Sheffield, Wayne Godwin, Marvin Lucas, Morgan Goetter, Eddie Gunter, Chris Hawkins, Dorothy Gunter, Alec Estes and Adam Estes.
Pictured top and bottom: Members of the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were honored Sunday morning by Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Pictured top inset: A child with a flag as Assistant Chief Elton Gilmore listens to Sunday morning’s service. Pictured bottom inset: Chief Eric Gilmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Educator’s Group Names North Escambia Students Of The Month
September 28, 2009
The Escambia Association for Administrators in Education have selected their Students of the Month for September.
Students of the Month from North Escambia schools are:
- Bratt Elementary: Franki J. Daw, first grade; Logan D. Calloway, fourth grade.
- Jim Allen Elementary: McKenna L. Smith, fifth grade; Timothy J. Dease, fifth grade.
- Molino Park Elementary: Courtney N. Grim, fifth grade; Ashley G. Sticken, fifth grad
- Northview High School: Georgia A. Goetter, ninth grade; Dustin A. Boutwell, 12th grade.
Editor’s note: The Escambia Association for Administrators in Education did not name Students of the Month from Ernest Ward Middle, Byrneville Elementary or Tate High School. The names of the students are submitted to the educator’s group by the individual schools.
Pictured Northview High School named Georgia Goetter (left) and Dusty Boutwell as Students of the Month for September. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.