Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/108313
Sarasota News Leader February 8, 2013 Who made the connection with the Orioles happen? All Star closer and Sarasota resident Jim Johnson, says Sherwin Taradash, the Birdland event chairman and a Miracle League board member. Page 40 sistance, gives players the opportunity to experience something that was previously completely off-limits, he says. "The greatest experience to understand it is to come to a game, and you'll see the smiles on the kids and you'll see the tears in their parents' eyes," Taradash adds. "It's really a heartfelt thing. It's a great opportunity for the parent or the guardian to have a bit of a break in a fun way." "Three years ago, Jim Johnson spearheaded the movement with the Orioles after they came to town, to develop a relationship with a charity," Taradash says. "And he heard of the Miracle League and thought it would be a perfect fit, baseball-baseball. He basically lobbied "When you go and watch and see what hapthe Orioles to take it on as a charity of choice pens when those kids get on the field, you reand he was going to take the lead on it." alize that what you're doing is worthwhile," Taradash calls past Birdland tournaments an Johnson says. "There's really no other reason "amazing success." In two years, the event to do it. There are some things you have to has raised more than $56,000 for the Miracle witness yourself." League, according to an Orioles press release. Johnson says that once the Longwood field Johnson says the goal for this year's tournament is to raise something in the high 30-thousands. While phase one of construction is complete, the League wants to build a concession stand, accessible bathrooms, a storage facility and a covered patio, and that is where future donations will go. is complete, the next step is to help the Miracle League sustain itself from year to year. Taradash agrees, and thinks the Birdland Golf Classic will be a reliable source of operating capital for the long term. "Hopefully it'll be on autopilot in a couple years, where the tournament's just sold out Johnson brought teammates to last year's every year and we can relax and have fun," Miracle League season, and their response Johnson says, "and I can move on to another project." was beyond enthusiastic. This year, "I've got to keep guys away from the tournament, because I don't have enough spots for everyone," The Birdland Golf Classic begins with he says. registration and lunch at 11 a.m. WednesTaradash notes there are more than 200 fields day, Feb. 20, with a shotgun start set for like the Miracle League's around the country, 12:30 p.m. The tournament is held at and that the impact of playing baseball on the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, life of a child or adult with special needs is 7650 Legacy Blvd., Bradenton. For more tremendous. The chance to play baseball in information, contact the Miracle League a safe environment, on a field that is easy to of Manasota at 941-225-2966 or via info@ get around on with a wheelchair or other as- miracleleaguemanasota.org. %