On Oct. 19, Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Miracle League of San Diego Dan Engel provided recognition to business and organization sponsors of special needs children and adult baseball teams participating in games during the league’s current fall season. The North Coast Optimist Club recipient of this season’s Miracle League recognition item, President Joe Kellejian, received a framed San Diego Padres jersey presented by Engel in recognition of the club’s sponsorship of Team Smith.

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, according to a news release.

Every player is matched with a buddy based on his or her unique needs. The goal is that everyone walks away saying “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 you may help and provide support to the youth in these local communities.

Join the club at an upcoming meeting to learn more about programs at local nonprofits and how they are making a difference in the North County and greater San Diego region.