VALDOSTA, Ga. — A new achievement happened this week for a league named for miracles.

After a rousing game of baseball, players and volunteers watched as officials from the Miracle League and the Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority broke ground for the future Miracle Field Complex at Freedom Park Tuesday.

The complex includes four standard baseball fields, a specialized field, a large pavilion, a concessions stand and a boundless playground. In total the project costs approximately $5 million.

A miracle field is a two-dimensional, rubberized, fully accessible field for individuals with disabilities. The field will be larger than a standard field so it can be used for baseball, soccer and other activities for individuals of all ages with disabilities.

A boundless playground is where all children can play together regardless of their level of ability, said Jessica Catlett, marketing and public relations director for the parks and rec authority.

The Miracle League offers baseball to children with mental and physical disabilities.

It started in Conyers in 2000. From Georgia, the Miracle League has spread to teams in South Carolina, Alabama, West Virginia, Illinois and California.

Lowndes County Commission Chairman Bill Slaughter spoke about the benefit of having the field for the special-needs community to those in attendance during the groundbreaking.

“This is going to be a huge step for all the citizens in our community with special needs that needs the attention that they deserve and the opportunity to play on a facility that’s going to soon be out here at Freedom Park,” Slaughter said.

Jeremy Davis, president of the Miracle League of Valdosta, said he sees the expansion at Freedom Park as a way for Valdosta to solidify its position as a regional leader, and as a way to continue building communities for the residents.

“Today marks a major evolution in our community as a regional leader,” Davis said. “Because, this facility is not just for Valdosta and Lowndes County. It’s for our surrounding area. And we use baseball through the Miracle League of Valdosta to help build a community for all people. Baseball is just a conduit, and you are a huge part of it and we thank you for committing to it.”

George Page, executive director of parks and rec authority, said construction is expected to be completed before the beginning of baseball season next spring.

“This is truly an amazing day, and I cannot wait for our construction company, (Quillian Powell Construction) and their team, along with engineering (Studio 8 Design) to have this facility ready next spring,” Page said.

The project is a public-private partnership between the parks and rec authority and the Miracle League. The expansion is estimated to cost $5 million and the Miracle field is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million.

Miracle League is paying for its portion of the project through donations and fundraising. And while construction has started, the league is approximately half way to its goal and is still taking donations.

For more information on Miracle fields, or to donate to the MLV, visit http://www.miracleleagueofvaldosta.com/.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.