Phillies legends help Miracle League kids live baseball dreams

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Children with physical and cognitive challenges stepped up to the plate at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night with former Phillies players as part of a partnership between Major League Baseball, Phillies Charities Inc. and the Miracle League.

The event kicked off MLB All-Star week in Philadelphia.

The Miracle League, a national nonprofit that creates opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball, joined the Phillies for an evening designed to make young fans feel like pros. Among them were Everett and Remi, siblings born with cerebral palsy.

"This has been just a dream. These are the two biggest Phillies fans right here," said their mother, Samantha Govitz.

Kids had the chance to take swings against Phillies legend Dickie Noles, run the bases and slide into home plate. For families, the experience was as meaningful as it was memorable.

"It's just very special for the kids and the parents to see their kids get an opportunity to be out here on the field playing with legends," said Angelo Garofalo of Swarthmore.

Kristy Mohr of Doylestown said of her daughter Mackenzie, "She's had so much fun, and it's been an amazing opportunity. We're very grateful."

The kids also got to play ball alongside former Phillies player, coach and current team ambassador Milt Thompson.

"Just a tremendous feeling," Thompson said. "To see the smiles on their faces and the enjoyment they're having, it's just nice that we recognize that they wanna play ball too and we're putting these fields together for them to come out and be able to experience it."

And the MLB wants to make sure the All-Star Game leaves more than just memories behind in its host city. The MLB and Phillies Charities Inc. areinvesting more than $5.5 million dollars back into the community - including $300,000 for the Miracle League of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

"Being a special needs parent can feel very solitary, can feel very lonely, and to have us recognized and thought of in the planning process, in the community to create accessible spaces is everything that I hope for for their futures," mom Samantha Govitz said.

Festivities continue Friday with the HBCU Swingman Classic, followed by the opening of the AllStar Village fan festival Saturday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The All-Star Game is set for Tuesday at 8 p.m.