A Night to Remember
October 29, 2023 | Baseball
Diamond Dawgs make memories with The Miracle League.
STARKVILLE – Cheers filled the air under the bright stadium lights at Dudy Noble Field as Mississippi State hosted the Challenger Baseball Miracle League on Friday night.
The Miracle League, an organization for baseball-loving individuals with special needs, has partnered with the Bulldogs for years to bring plenty of fun to a very deserving group. Head coach Chris Lemonis explained that hosting one last game at the Dude is a perfect finale to a fall of playing games in Columbus.
"Most Friday nights, we'll head over there and spend a little bit of time," Lemonis said. "We bring them back here for the last one of the fall, and it's a pretty special event."
The Miracle League players were split into two teams and each got to spend plenty of one-on-one time with their favorite Diamond Dawgs as they batted around and ran the bases. They even enjoyed a few added surprises that made the night extra special.
"They get their pictures on the scoreboard, they get to play their own music, they get to play baseball," Lemonis said. "It's what we enjoy, and we give them an opportunity to enjoy the same thing we do."
As wonderful of an experience as the Friday night game was to the visiting squads, according to Lemonis, the event meant just as much to his own student-athletes.
"For the players, it is about giving back and it's about being part of where you live," Lemonis said. "I think it's important for those guys to know they're in a special community."
MSU outfielder Bryce Chance spent hours with his Miracle League friends, making sure that they all had a night to remember. The event meant just a little bit more to the junior for one very important reason.
"My brother is special needs, and we actually had a similar thing back home," Chance said. "It just meant a lot to see how important it was to him, and coming out here — especially when we get to do it at Dudy Noble — it's really special for all the kids."
Similarly, Aaron Downs explained that getting to host the event on the Bulldogs' home field added to the excitement.
"We get to go to their park a couple of times each year, and it's definitely cool being in their place, but it's really special having them come to our place, too," Downs said, as spirited team member Emily Browning held his arm and grinned from ear to ear.
Browning eagerly anticipated the opportunity to play, and she had plenty of support around her. As her parents cheered on from the dugout when she walked up to the plate, a group of family and friends in the stands held homemade signs and waved. Among those in attendance was Brooke Owens, Browning's physical therapist and a longtime family friend. She has been there for countless milestones since the very beginning, and she certainly wasn't going to miss a very important baseball game.
"When I was young, [I] lived next to her parents, and then when I was in college, [Browning] was born and then I became a physical therapist," Owens said. "I was there when she started walking."
The Pickens County, Alabama, resident had high praise for the event, not only because of the fun it provided, but also because it gave those on the field a chance to excel and form a community.
"I just think it's great that they have something that they can be successful at and they can be spotlighted for, because a lot of times in their classrooms they're not around a lot of people and don't get to do all the extracurriculars," Owens said.
Naturally, Browning wanted Owens to come and watch her shine at the Dude.
"She was very adamant that we come to her game, but it's been a pleasure and we've enjoyed it so much," Owens said.
A few rows down, another family broke out in shouts of delight as Carson Cain rounded the bases and reached home with the help of his State friends. His mother, Kayla Cain, recorded the entire moment with pride, watching her nine-year-old son do something that he's longed to do for so long.
"[Carson] loves baseball, his brother plays it and he's always wanted to be out there on the field." Cain said. "Giving him the opportunity to do it and feel the same way that his brother feels when he's out there, it's amazing."
Because of Mississippi State's devotion to working with the Challenger Baseball Miracle League, Carson and so many other individuals finally had the chance to live out something that most people can only dream about: kicking up the dust at Dudy Noble Field.
"It was very exhilarating," Cain said. "It's different seeing him here versus just a regular baseball field. To see him on the big field is just amazing. I just can't even describe it."
