As James Price, now 17, aged out of the Little League, Price knew her son would have difficulty keeping up with his middle school and high school peers on the field because he is autistic.
Instead of telling him he could no longer play in his favorite pastime, Price created the Adaptive Baseball League of Edmond in 2001 for special-needs athletes who want to play on a baseball team.
This year, the league has a renovated field and a new name.
The Miracle League of Edmond, a branch of the Miracle League Association, kicks off its 2006 season at 6:30 p.m. today and Thursday at J.L. Mitch Park.
The field has a new flat surface made from recycled tires to make it easier for athletes in wheelchairs to move around, and bigger dugouts.
The city provided the field, and the $200,000 project was funded through fund-raisers, donations and grants.
This season, 60 athletes ages 4 to 23 will be divided into five teams and play in the games Tuesdays and Thursdays for 10 weeks.
"We're playing in the evenings when other kids are out there on the other fields because I want my kids to feel like they are a part of a baseball program and not just out there playing by themselves," Price said. "If they can't hit a pitched ball, we'll put a tee out in front of them until they hit the ball and run to first base."
Price said every player will make it to home base before the end of every inning.
To help the players during the games, Price said she is recruiting some high school athletes.
"A lot of them know my son, and a lot of them are encouraged by him to come out and help," Price said.
Although the league is based in Edmond, players from other cities are welcome to join.
Price said players from Piedmont, Yukon and Lexington are members of the league.
Price said every player will be a winner at the end of each game.
"There will be no strikes, and no outs, and no scoring," Price said.
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