Page 13 - Jan-Feb 2021 Vol 38 No 6
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Teague indicated there are more than project’s timely completion, saying that “This is what it’s all about. To see those
85,000 children in Tennessee with special Kingsport “is a caring and compassionate kids…our children…on the field smiling,
needs and more than 300 Miracle Leagues community, and we knew that before playing and having fun, is why we did
across the country, Puerto Rico, Canada, this idea was even conceived. If someone this,” Teague said.
and Australia. In total, those leagues serve wants affirmation of that, here’s another Self Esteem and Being Treated Like
more than 200,000 children and young example of the big heart that’s present Any Other Athlete
adults. in our community and shows again that
Specifications and Finished Dimensions Kingsport is a great place to live, work and Teague said the park and field’s concept
play.” is about self-esteem, making new friends
Since the main barriers for these and being treated like any other athlete.
athletes arise from the natural grass fields Kingsport City Manager Chris McCartt
used in conventional leagues, Miracle agreed, proclaiming that the complex is “a “It’s hard to describe and put to words
League teams play on custom-designed project that defines who Kingsport is as a what this project means to Nicholas, my
fields, which are about a third the size city. We saw a need, we addressed it and family and to so many other families with
of a normal field. Instead of grass or went after it.” special needs children,” Teague said. “This
traditional astroturf, the fields have flat A Place to Just Have Fun and field will allow these kids the opportunity
rubberized surfaces. The mound and all Enjoy the Game to play baseball and other games where
the bases are flush, so wheelchair users before they could not play on traditional
and amputees can travel over the surface Poignant moments marked the June 27, fields.”
more easily and safely. The field, off 2020 Dedication Day. In fact, on grand
Industry Drive, is behind the four fields opening day, terms such as “hit it out of “I am beyond thankful to the city of
that already exist at the facility. the park” and “where dreams became Kingsport, the Visit Kingsport team and
Groundbreaking to Grand Opening reality” appeared on ads and electronic all of the sponsors, donors and leaders
media, summarizing the emotions of who made this field possible,” Teague
Groundbreaking was held October 3, community volunteers and workers who added. “Their generosity will make a huge
2019, and city officials said even during had put months into the project. difference in the lives of so many children
the global pandemic, they were able to and will bring so many smiles and happy
proceed with building the dream to its Teague said that “making baseball memories to these kids for years and years
completion. The construction teams felt accessible to all” is a great way to bring to come.”
a ray of hope was around corner, while people together, from those playing on Forward to the Future
working in compliance with the Covid-19 the field, to the parents and volunteers
restrictions and orders issued by the state. supporting them. At the end of the Now in “full swing,” the field and
dedication, his son Nicholas Teague threw complex will serve an estimated 2,500-
Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull lauded the out the first pitch, and local children took 3,000 children in the region. Future
vision and hard work that went into the to the field to play a few innings of baseball. additions include a second baseball field, a
soccer field and a zip line.
View online at tnpublicworks.com 13
