A loneliness sometimes felt by children with disabilities and their parents in Northwest Arkansas will soon be replaced by the Miracle League.  

"It gives our players a social life," said Arkansas Miracle League Director, Peggy McCall. "You give parents the chance to have a typical memory, because when you have child, you have this laundry list of things you think you are going to do and then that changes - and it doesn't have to change for the worse."

The Miracle League started in Little Rock in 2006 - and now 332 players take to the field to round the bases. The league allows kids with any type of disability the chance to just be a kid - playing baseball - and making friends.

"When they get on a team, we leave them on a team, to help build that sense of community," McCall said. "To see kids run up to their friend Sally when they haven't seen each other in the off season, it's so fun."

The league has found so much success in Little Rock, a branch is starting up in Northwest Arkansas. More than 60 kids are expected to start the first season - but with the excitement and sense of community the league brings - those kids won't be the only winners in this venture.

"You would think it is all about the player - and it is - but it's all about the community that gets served too," McCall said.

Parents can relax and enjoy the games knowing their kids are playing on specially made turf - and that all tripping obstacles have been removed from the field.

Playing this game helps kids with disabilities feel like any other kids - builds confidence - and teaches some important life skills any athlete needs.

"When they start growing into this game of baseball they will start talking trash and giving the pitcher a hard time - that's kids being kids," McCall said, laughing.

Kids being kids - how the Miracle League is not just changing the landscape of Northwest Arkansas - but changing lives here as well.

The league does still need $100,000 to finish its fields here in NWA.

For more information, or to donate to the Miracle League, go to: