Shawn and Heather O'Grady: Love and Baseball

A trip to the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields will encapsulate nearly every feeling someone can feel. Emotions range from sadness to anxiousness to excitement to gratefulness—and most of all, joy. After all, this is the “Joy Factory”. 

But for adult league players Shawn and Heather O’Grady, there’s another emotion: Love.  

Shawn and Heather O'Grady, along with Sean's Mom Eileen, being recognized on the field at Great American Ballpark.

Shawn and Heather aren’t only teammates on the field. They are lifelong teammates, as they have been together for 25 years and celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last month. 

Shawn and Heather first met a little over 25 years ago, and despite their love for baseball, they didn’t meet at a field. 

“It was a pool party, that’s how we met,” Heather said. “And then my mom had a party, and they took us home.” 

After sharing their love for ice cream and getting to know each other, their relationship began to strengthen and grow. And after 20 years of marriage, they’re still going strong. 

Shawn O'Grady rocking out after a hit.

Today, outside of playing in the Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled Adult League on Friday nights, Shawn and Heather spend their time together playing other sports. 

“They play basketball, softball, bowling and bocce-ball,” Shawn's mother Eileen O'Grady, said.

Shawn and Heather enjoy watching their favorite teams, the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals. They also enjoy watching movies, notably supernatural, scary, and action movies. 

But for both of the O’Gradys, it doesn’t quite compare to the joy they feel when they play in the league together. Shawn is well-known across the league for his dancing in between innings, and his joy and appreciation for the game spreads to Heather as well. 

Shawn and Heather O'Grady in the outfield.

“I think it’s a lot of fun to play with each other,” Heather said. “We like to be good sports about it, lose or win.” 

The league has given Shawn and Heather a sense of community that they otherwise wouldn’t have. This community extends beyond the ballpark. 

“We love hanging out with the group, going bowling with them and stuff like that,” Heather said. “Lots of fun stuff.” 

While Joe Nuxhall was unfortunately unable to see the Miracle League Fields in-person, his vision has left a serious impact on the O’Gradys and the community as a whole. 

Shawn, Heather, and Eileen all mentioned how important Nuxhall’s vision was to them and how important he was in the community. 

“He loved this, watching everyone play,” Heather said.

Nuxhall’s vision will continue to be realized when Shawn and Heather, among other adult and youth players, travel to Pittsburgh to compete in the Miracle Series from August 23-25. 

---

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 nearly $30,000 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 will launch 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.