Miracle Series Brings Special Needs Athletes from Six States to The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields
- NuxhallMiracleLeague
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
CINCINNATI, OH (June 22, 2026)—The Ole Lefthander Joe Nuxhall loved hitting the road and taking in the sights and sounds of Major League Baseball as a visiting pitcher and broadcaster. Now, the organization that bears his name is creating that same experience for special needs athletes from across the country.
The Nuxhall Foundation and the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields will host the 2026 Miracle Series from July 9-12, 2026. The program is hosted in conjunction with Casey’s Clubhouse, the adaptive sports organization and facility in Greater Pittsburgh founded by Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer “The Mayor” Sean Casey. The tournament for athletes with physical and developmental disabilities will bring together athletes from programs across six states, including:
More than 160 children and adults with special needs will take part in the program, which includes a player combine on Friday July 10, and a full day of games on Saturday July 11 from 10:30am-4:30pm.
“We pride ourselves on giving athletes with special needs a major league experience, and the opportunity to go on the road and make friends from different cities is an important part of that mission,” says Kim Nuxhall, President and Board Chairman of The Nuxhall Foundation. “Our all-stars deserve more opportunities like this to shine. We love creating those experiences, but we are especially fortunate that we get to do this with one of Dad’s best buddies, The Mayor Sean Casey. Sean has a relentless energy for serving others with love and compassion, and his partnership on this program is just more evidence of why we love him so much.”
Casey and his organization, Casey’s Clubhouse, have worked tirelessly to promote travel baseball experiences since 2022. Casey will be in attendance to cheer on the athletes, celebrate at home plate, and lead the fun.
“Getting back to Cincinnati always feels like coming home for me,” says Casey. “This city means so much to my baseball journey and to my family, so bringing our Casey’s Clubhouse athletes here for the Miracle Series makes it even more special. The partnership between the Nuxhall Foundation and Casey’s Clubhouse is just incredible. We share the same heart for kids and adults with disabilities, and when our communities come together around the game of baseball, it creates something really powerful. It’s more than a tournament. It’s friendships, families, and two amazing cities celebrating the game we all love.”
The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields hosted the first-ever Miracle Series in 2022, when they welcomed nearly 30 athletes from Casey’s Clubhouse for a travel experience and full day of games. The following year, the two leagues joined forces again in Pigeon Forge, TN for games played at The Ripken Experience. In 2024, The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields took 40 athletes on the road to Pittsburgh for games played at Casey’s Clubhouse.
The Nuxhall Foundation is working hard to create an electric environment for visiting athletes and their families, inviting fans and supporters to “pack the park” on the morning of Saturday July 11 to roll out the red carpet for their guests during their visit to the Queen City.
“When we visited Pittsburgh in 2024, I’ve never been so happy to see thousands of people waving Terrible Towels at us!” says Tyler Bradshaw, Executive Director of The Nuxhall Foundation. “That welcome and the encouragement our athletes receive during the games helps to create a lifetime of memories for the families we serve. We want all of Cincinnati to show up and show out on the morning of July 11 to let our guests know just how much they’re loved and valued. And wear lots of red!”
The games held on Saturday are only one portion of an entire weekend of festivities intended to give athletes and guests the memory of a lifetime. Additional events include a private welcome party at The Liberty Center, a player combine and on-field dance party with Local 12’s Bob Herzog, a Rozzi’s fireworks show, a pool party at the Fairfield Aquatic Center, and an opportunity to see the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.
“We’ve got a community of volunteers and supporters who go all out to make opportunities like these happen,” says Bradshaw. “I know that all of Cincinnati is excited to welcome The Mayor back to The Queen City, but more importantly, I know they want to be here to cheer on and support the athletes and families who have traveled from across the country to play the game that Joe and Sean loved so much.”
For Nuxhall, the experience of hosting The Miracle Series is one that honors the legacy his father built over a 60-year career as a beloved player and broadcaster in his hometown.
“Dad had this really unique way of making everybody feel like a somebody. We want our special needs all-stars and families to walk away from this experience knowing just how amazing they are,” says Nuxhall. “We want them to experience profound joy while they are here, and achieve something that they thought might never be possible. Oh, how my Dad would have loved knowing that special needs athletes from six different states are coming to play at the baseball facility he inspired!”
Donors who wish to give to support The Miracle Series can visit www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org/donate or contact Nuxhall Foundation Executive Director Tyler Bradshaw at info@nuxhallmiracleleague.org. More information on the program is available at www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org/miracleseries.
2026 Miracle Series: Even Schedule
Thursday, July 9: Private Player Party at The Liberty Center, 6-8pm
Friday, July 10: Private Player Combine, Dance Party with Bob Herzog, & Rozzi’s Fireworks (6-9:30pm)
Saturday July 11: Games at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields
“Pack The Park” Player Welcome: 8:30-9:30am
Opening Ceremonies: 9:30-10:30am
Games: 10:30am-4:30pm
Home Run Derby: 4:30-5pm
Sunday, July 12: Cincinnati Reds Game at Great American Ballpark
About The Nuxhall Foundation
The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, the late Joe Nuxhall. The Nuxhall Foundation carries forward three important legacy projects. A central project of The Nuxhall Foundation is The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—an entirely accessible baseball and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play. Historically, nearly 300 athletes with physical and developmental disabilities aged 4 to 80 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields. The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship (in conjunction with the Fairfield Community Foundation) provides more than $40,000 per year in scholarship money to student athletes at all 14 Butler County high schools. Very soon, the Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship will cross the million-dollar mark in scholarship money awarded. The Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund pitches good character to young leaders throughout Greater Cincinnati by delivering and supporting programs that stress the importance of integrity, humility, respect, and kindness. In 2024, The Nuxhall Foundation launched a $12 million capital campaign to construct The Hope Center, a year-round recreational facility for athletes with special needs that will help to create the world's most comprehensive athletic campus for individuals with disabilities.
For more information, visit http://www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org.
For all media inquiries or to schedule an appearance, please contact:
Tyler Bradshaw
Executive Director, The Nuxhall Foundation
(513) 839-6164
###
Comments