06/10/2026
This spring at Optimist Ballpark in Waxahachie, Texas, I had my first opportunity to volunteer as a Buddy for the Miracle League of Ellis County. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget and one that has me looking forward to helping again when the fall season arrives.
My connection to Optimist Ballpark goes back a long way - all the way to 1970. Returning to those fields brought back a healthy dose of nostalgia. Some things have changed over the years, but one constant remains: baseball.
As a boy, I spent countless hours on those fields, making memories with teammates and friends. The crack of the bat, the cheers from the stands, and the post-game snow cones are memories that have stayed with me for decades. Looking back, I realize those experiences were about much more than the game itself. They were about belonging, friendship, and being part of something bigger than yourself.
For the past couple of seasons, my lodge, Oddfellows #80, has sponsored one of the Miracle League teams - the Dodgers. Fellow members who volunteered with the league always spoke highly of the experience. At the same time, my nonprofit organization, On the Brighter Side, began attending games this spring to provide players with toys and encouragement. Before long, it felt like all roads were leading in the same direction. I needed to get involved.
For those unfamiliar with the Miracle League Buddy system, each player is paired with a Buddy during the game. Buddies help players navigate the field, run the bases, and provide encouragement along the way.
That may sound simple enough, but it quickly becomes much more than that.
You get to know your player, their teammates, and their families. You learn about their personalities, strengths, interests, and the unique ways they experience and enjoy the game. Most importantly, you gain an appreciation for the athletes themselves and the supportive community that surrounds them.
Some players were quiet and reserved, while others greeted everyone with enthusiastic hugs and high-fives. Some were talkative; others let their actions do the talking. Some took the game very seriously, while others simply enjoyed being part of the fun. Every player brought something special to the field.
What struck me most was not what made the players different, but what they shared with every athlete I've ever known: a love of the game.
This was their league, their team, and their opportunity to compete, contribute, and experience the joy of baseball. Being part of the team mattered to them, and doing their best mattered to them.
As the season went on, I realized that being a Buddy isn't really about helping someone play baseball. It's about helping create an environment where every player can experience everything that makes baseball special - the excitement, camaraderie, accomplishment, and joy that come from being part of a team.
By the end of the season, I carried away two lessons that have stayed with me.
The first is to celebrate the small wins.
Not every day brings a home run. Sometimes success looks like making contact with the ball, reaching first base, trying something new, or simply showing up and giving your best effort. The athletes in the Miracle League reminded me that progress comes in many forms and that every victory deserves to be celebrated.
The second lesson is to find joy in the joy of others.
Watch the smile after a successful at-bat. Watch the excitement of rounding the bases. Watch teammates cheering for one another. There is something powerful about sharing in another person's happiness without needing any of the spotlight yourself.
Fred Rogers, known to many of us as Mr. Rogers, often spoke about "graceful receiving." He believed one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is to graciously receive what they have to offer.
I found myself thinking about that often during my time with the Miracle League.
I signed up believing I would be giving my time, energy, and support to help others experience the joy of baseball. While I hope I did that, I came away realizing something unexpected.
At the end of the day, I received far more than I gave.
For a few hours each week, I got to see baseball through the eyes of people who genuinely love the game. I witnessed perseverance, enthusiasm, teamwork, and joy in its purest form. And I left every game a little more grateful than when I arrived.
That's a gift I didn't expect, but one I'll always appreciate.
- Kyle Fuller, On the Brighter Side
