Baseball Miracles teams up with Pathfinder at Doubleday

Edmeston, New York, August 17, 2021 … Beneath perfect skies and at the nation’s best-loved ball diamond, over 50 residents of Pathfinder Village honed their throwing, fielding, and hitting this past weekend with former Major League Baseball players and the staff of the non-profit, Baseball Miracles, during a special skills camp.

Former players, coaches, and managers Clint Hurdle, David Palmer, Tom Carroll, Jason Phillips, Dickie Noles, and Gary Holle led a team of volunteers and staff from Baseball Miracles in hosting the skills camp at Doubleday Field. With headquarters in Marlboro, New York, those supporting Baseball Miracles share their love of baseball with underserved communities and people with disabilities through camps and similar events.

After a brief round of instructions, the players went through rotations at six stations; the pros and volunteers advised how athletes could improve. Coaches reminded players to focus on the fundamentals as the steady ‘plink’ of aluminum bats sounded, punctuating a series of solid hits off ball tees.

“I’m a diehard baseball fan,” said Pathfinder resident Grant Stubbs. “First, I went to the batting, then pitching, infield and outfield, and batting again. Everyone liked it and everyone is talking about it.”

“How perfect is this?” asked Tom Carroll as he worked with players on the infield. “To be here in Cooperstown, at Doubleday, playing ball on a day like this.”

Others attending included Cooperstown Deputy Mayor Cindy Falk, Pathfinder Village Chief Executive Officer Paul Landers, Vice President of Communications & Education Jon Shestakofsky from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Orthopedic Surgeon Joseph Dutkowsky of Cooperstown, and Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The event was facilitated through an introduction by the Hall of Fame of Pathfinder Village and Kyle Bamberger, a field ambassador for Baseball Miracles.

“The goodwill and generosity of the Baseball Miracles team and volunteers is overwhelming…they traveled from around the
U.S. to share their love of baseball with Pathfinder Village, it is a remarkable act of kindness,” said Mr. Landers. “We appreciate the National Baseball Hall of Fame for introducing these two wonderful organizations to one another and offer a special thank you to
Dr. Joe for coordinating today’s event. He’s a longtime friend of Pathfinder.”

Mr. Hurdle, an advisor for Baseball Miracles, is a former player and manager for the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates and was named the National League’s Manager of the Year in 2013. Expo Pitcher David Palmer, who grew up playing on the same high school team as St. Louis pitcher Dave LaPoint, is best known for pitching five perfect innings against the Cardinals in 1984. Dickie Noles and Tom Carroll were pitchers for World Series-winning teams, the Phillies and Reds, respectively. Gary Holle, a pinch hitter for the Rangers, is also known as a former general manager of the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association. Jason Phillips pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cleveland Indians.

Baseball Miracles provided Pathfinder’s athletes with baseball caps and gloves; each person also will receive their own baseball card to remember the day. In addition, each player was provided a personalized jersey, courtesy of the Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids organization.

Pathfinder Village is a non-profit, planned community devoted to supporting people who have Down syndrome and other intellectual/developmental disabilities. Through quality residential, educational, vocational, and recreational programs, individuals grow toward fulfillment and independence while giving back to our local communities. Pathfinder also offers many avenues for community inclusion through events, adult day service offerings, the Bakery & Café, youth soccer games, and Pathfinder Produce, the weekly fresh produce market that is open to the public on Thursday afternoons.