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Community Corner

Miracles Happen Thanks To Events Like The JBJ Baseball Classic

Upper St. Clair's annual charity baseball game donated Saturday's proceeds to the Miracle League fund which is helping build a ballpark for special needs children at the Boyce-Mayview Field.

It was 30 minutes before the eighth annual JBJ Baseball Classic and men of all ages were arriving for their annual charity game. Some guys prepared with the traditional long toss, others using the simplified method of knee bends while puffing on a stogie.

Each player's $75-$100 donation went entirely to the at the . In return, each player received a $30 gift certificate to .

The field, which costs around $1 million to build is making great progress. The dugouts are visible and the shape of the field can be clearly seen. The field is expected to be finished before the winter.  The special, rubber playing surface, which takes much care to be installed, will be the last task right before the opening in spring of 2012.

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"It's the simple lemonade stands, and charity events like this one that allow this field to be built," Interim Director of Miracle Fields Maura Rodgers told the players huddled around the pitching mound before the game.

She explained they just received a plumbing bill for some work that had to be done to the field last week, and this donation was being used to pay off the bill. 

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The field, which allows special needs children to play America's game requires very intricate additions while being built. For example, the dugouts need many power sources to satisfy the players needs and the field needs to be completely latex free and a perfectly flat surface for wheelchair movement. Without these and many more intricate details the children would not be able to play the same game near and dear to the heart of all the men taking part in this charity event.

"We have so much fun doing it, this seemed like a good idea to keep doing it," said John Fornear, who helps organize the event every year.

The JBJ Baseball classic started eight years ago and the money was then donated to the Allegheny Valley School.

Some other years the money went to homeless military veterans. This year it was an obvious choice to donate the money to the Miracle Field which is being constructed at the same site of the game.

"I think we're going to stay with the Miracle Field for future donations," said Fornear realizing annual maintenance on the field will take a steady flow of donations in future years.

Upper St. Clair's rich tradition of charitable causes was the starting point for this annual baseball game. Mike Fornier's father, Bob, was once the commissioner of the USC athletic association, and this event is a tribute to him and to others who created charitable events similar to this one many years ago.

Roughly one million dollars has been raised for the Miracle Field of South Hills. . The held at earlier this year was the most lucrative fundraiser making an estimated $250,000. The field, which is being built by PJ Dick Corporation, is expected to cost under a million dollars which will give Miracle Fields a much needed surplus needed to help with daily upkeep once the field is finished.

The JBJ baseball classic on Saturday was a huge success. Sure, two of the first three batters were hit by pitches but the pitchers were simply shaking off the cobwebs and not attempting to own the inside half of the plate. The hitters responded with laughter, not jeers. Nobody was hurt as the fastballs at the event never topped 50-55 miles per hour.  Everybody had a great time, and the event helped ensure a great time for many special needs children beginning next year. 

There are more than 100 Miracle Fields in the United States, the closest completed field is in Cranberry.

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