FAIRFIELD, OH (July 5, 2022)—The Mayor is returning to the Queen City—and this time, he’s bringing some of his best friends along for the trip!
On Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 10:00am, special needs athletes from The Miracle League of the South Hills (Pennsylvania) will travel to play in The Miracle Series presented by Ameritas; a set of games at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in Greater Cincinnati. The series is historic, as this is the first time that Miracle League of the South Hills athletes will travel to compete, and the first time an outside organization will be hosted as a visiting team at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.
“Our relationship with Sean Casey stretches all the way back to Dad’s days as a broadcaster for the Reds,” says Kim Nuxhall, President and Board Chairman of The Nuxhall Foundation. “At every pivotal step in our history, Sean has been there to support Dad’s legacy. We’ve dreamt of being able to bring our players together for a celebration of all that’s been accomplished between our organizations, and this is as big as it gets.”
Nearly 30 players (along with family members and volunteers) will travel to Fairfield and Greater Cincinnati for a special weekend that centers around the Saturday festivities at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields. Athletes from The Miracle League of the South Hills will arrive to the fields via a police escort by the City of Fairfield Police Department at approximately 9:15am on Saturday, where they’ll be welcomed to the facility by neighbors and community members. Following a 10am opening ceremony including appearances by Casey and Nuxhall, players from The Miracle League of the South Hills will play in a series of games against their companion athletes from The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.
Participants of all ages and ability levels from both the Great Miami Valley YMCA Youth League and the Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled Adult League from the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields will take part in games against their visiting competitors from Greater Pittsburgh beginning at 10:30am.
Casey and the team at The Miracle League of the South Hills have been hard at work planning this experience, which was meant to give their athletes the same experience as major league athletes who travel from city to city to compete.
"Cincinnati has meant so much to me since I was traded to the Reds in 1998,” says Casey. “So when we decided to start our Miracle League Travel Baseball Team, partnering with the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields was an easy choice. We can't wait to provide a big league experience for these amazing athletes, and I'm so grateful for the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields for hosting our crew from Pittsburgh. Let’s play ball!"
The inaugural Miracle Series is presented by Ameritas, a steady supporter of initiatives at The Nuxhall Foundation and The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields over the past decade. Ameritas provides insurance and financial products and services to individuals, families and businesses, while living out their corporate values through this sponsorship.
“Generosity is an Ameritas value, and the Miracle Series is a perfect opportunity to support our community,” said Dave Voelker, Ameritas senior vice president, individual operations. “We’re proud to help make this special experience possible for players and their families.”
In addition to the games at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, players from both organizations will visit The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum as guests of the Reds Community Fund, where they’ll receive a private tour from Casey. Players will also attend a Cincinnati Reds game at Great American Ballpark, and participate in other activities planned by The Miracle League of the South Hills.
“Next year, we plan to give our athletes the same experience by traveling to Sean’s impeccable facility in Greater Pittsburgh,” says Nuxhall. “We can’t think of a better tradition to start, or better people to start it with than with Sean and his team at The Miracle League of the South Hills.”
Nuxhall also hopes that the Greater Cincinnati community will welcome Sean Casey and his athletes with great fanfare and excitement.
“We always love packing the house, but on this day in particular, we are hoping for a massive crowd full of energy to give our athletes and all-star experience,” says Nuxhall. “There’s nothing better than feeling loved, and we want our friends from Pittsburgh to know just how enthused we are to welcome them to The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.”
General admission to The Miracle Series presented by Ameritas is free, and no tickets are required. Members of the community are encouraged to arrive at 9am to prepare for the arrival of the athletes at approximately 9:15am. Games will run throughout the day with the event concluding at 2pm. Concessions will be available for cash purchases.
The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall. 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. More than 200 players between ages 4 to 78 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields. For more information, visit http://www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org.
About Ameritas: Presenting Sponsor of The Miracle Series
Ameritas is a marketing name for Ameritas Mutual Holding Company and its affiliated subsidiary companies, including Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York. Founded in 1887, Ameritas offers a wide range of insurance and financial products and services to individuals, families and businesses. These products and services include life insurance; annuities; individual disability income insurance; group dental, vision and hearing care insurance; retirement plans; investments; asset management; and public finance. Securities offered through affiliate Ameritas Investment Company LLC, member FINRA/SIPC and investment advisory services offered through Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC. For more information, visit ameritas.com.
For all media inquiries or to schedule an appearance, please contact:
Tyler Bradshaw
Executive Director, The Nuxhall Foundation
(513) 839-6164
Tim Gebhardt
Executive Director, The Miracle League of the South Hills
(412) 660-4454
tim@miracleleaguesouthhills.org
The Miracle Series Presented by Ameritas
Saturday, July 23, 2022
The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields
(4850 Groh Lane, Fairfield, OH 45014)
Schedule of Events
9:00am MLSH Athletes Depart Hotel in West Chester via Police Escort
9:15am MLSH Athletes Arrive at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields
9:20am Arrival and Warm Ups
10:00am Opening Ceremony & Welcome
10:30am Miracle Division Game
Advanced Skills Game 1
11:30am Lunch for Athletes, Served by Skyline
12:30pm Advanced Skills Game 2
2:00pm Closing Ceremony & Group Photo
2:30pm MLSH Athletes Depart for Return to Hotel