Monday nights bustle during softball season at Brehm Family Recreation Center in Yucca Valley. That’s when The Miracle League of the Hi-Desert, an affiliate of Basin Wide Foundation, holds its weekly softball game for people—mostly children—with special needs. Reporter David Haldane explains how local firefighters have pitched in to help…
“Batting first tonight for the Pirates, Elija Gonzales…. Elija drives up one the middle and heads down the line to first…”
The first thing you notice about a Miracle League softball game is the abundance of fire trucks. The second is the incredible smiles on the faces of the players.
They are people with special needs. The trucks are from Firefighters Local 935 whose members come to help.
“It’s a great time and it’s just nice to be part of this whole thing. It’s nice to see the kids have fun.”
That’s Danny Stamps, a captain at fire station #41 in downtown Yucca Valley. He’s one of several firefighters who show up at Brehm field every Monday during the season to act as “buddies” to the players. Among other things, the firefighters stand with them at bat, help wheelchair-bound softballers traverse the bases and offer general support.
The rewards, Stamps says, are palpable.
“And he hits it to deep left field.… Home run!!!”
