On Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m., Dan Engel, co-founder and treasurer of the Miracle League of San Diego, will present an overview of the league, its benefits, and activities available to children and adults with special needs. Join the event to learn more about how this local nonprofit is making a difference in the North County and greater San Diego region. The public is invited. Contact North Coast Optimist Club Secretary Jim Parrotte at jimparrotte@hotmail.com to obtain the Zoom meeting link for this event.

The Miracle League of San Diego, organized more than 15 years ago, provides children and adults with special needs the opportunity to play baseball in an organized league. Every player is matched with a buddy based on his or her unique needs. The goal is that everyone participating says, “I had a great day!” Teams play on uniquely prepared fields with accommodation for players requiring the use of walkers, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices. Players take their turn at bat with their team, run the bases with their buddy, and play in the field when the opposing team is at bat. Buddies assist the players with fielding their positions. Each team has a coach or a number of coaches that organize their players’ activities.

The North Coast Optimist Club, founded in 1981, serves the youth in the communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, Pacific Highlands, Rancho Santa Fe, and Encinitas through support of local organizations in a variety of ways. Some of the local organizations currently supported include; Miracle League of San Diego, Cub Scouts Pack 734, Casa de Amistad, The Winston School, Torrey Pines High School Scholarship Foundation, and Junior Optimist Clubs at the high school and elementary school level.

The club invites members of the Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Pacific Highlands and Encinitas communities to contact Optimist Club President Joe Kellejian at joekellejian@yahoo.com or Club Secretary Jim Parrotte at jimparrotte@hotmail.com for information regarding Optimist Club membership and ways to help and provide support to the youth in these local communities.