When the umpire calls ‘play ball!’ in April for the first Miracle League of Frisco baseball game of 2026, that will be the audible start to the nonprofit’s 20th baseball season.
At that point in time, the new and improved Mike Simpson Field will be debuted.
Miracle League of Frisco began in 2006. Former Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson was instrumental in launching the local chapter of the national nonprofit whose goal is to offer opportunities for children with special needs to play Miracle League baseball, MLF President Jeremy Silvas said.
What’s happening
Miracle League teams are made up of special needs community members whose ages range from 5 to 22 years old.
Silvas and his son Jared Silvas have participated in the local nonprofit for 20 years.
“The mission is to give every kid an opportunity to play sports. It's important to me more so because I had a son that played, that's how I got involved,” Jeremy Silvas said. “Jared was one of the first 40 athletes in 2006. I signed up as a dad that first season, then the next season, I started helping the coach. By the third season ... I ended up being the coach.”
Jared Silvas—who is 26 years old and aged out of being a Miracle League athlete at the age of 22—now helps his dad coach the Rangers Miracle League baseball team.
Jared Silvas credits helping the athletes with fielding as being his favorite thing about being an assistant coach.
What else?
Over the past two decades, MLF has expanded beyond the baseball diamond, adding soccer, basketball, bowling, flag football, track and cheer to its lineup of sports programs.
Miracle League Frisco offers a variety of sports programs including football. (Courtesy Miracle League Frisco)
A recent addition to MLF offerings has been an adult bowling league of which Jared Silvas is a member.
Frisco resident William Kinder, who is 11 years old, started his MLF experience on a soccer team when he was six years old. He now seasonally rotates through soccer, baseball and basketball teams. When playing baseball, he said his favorite position is shortstop. He’s a bit uncertain as to which of his skills is his best.
“I would say hitting, but I don't know if that is [right] because it takes me a couple tries to [hit the ball],” William said. “So I would maybe say outfielding.”
In addition to the friends he has made with his teammates, William's mom, Andrea Kinder said he has also made friends with the buddies who assist MLF players.
Jeremy Silvas said MLF prefers buddies and coaches not to be athletes' parents so parents can get a little break and just enjoy watching their child play a sport.
“You have siblings that end up being buddies on the field and being volunteers,” Jeremy Silvas said. “We've had buddies and volunteers who were 12 [years old] who aren't siblings, that are now board members or league directors. Our soccer director was one of our buddies when he was 12 years old.”
Get involved
MLF is always in need of volunteers including being a buddy, coach or board member, officials said.
“The challenge with growing...is finding volunteers... coaches or league directors,” Jeremy Silvas said. “Anytime we've opened a new sport like basketball or soccer, it's always been because some person was passionate about it and said, ‘You know what, I'll go run that. I'll do it for you.’”
Going forward
MLF will host the 2026 National Miracle League All-Star Weekend on Oct. 16-18.
Jeremy Silvas said the event will bring approximately 1500 people to Frisco. Games will be held at RoughRider Stadium and Mike Simpson Field, which is located at Harold Bacchus Community Park.
“The RoughRiders have been a phenomenal partner with us for a long time,” Jeremy Silvas said. “Through this all-star game, they're basically doing all of this—food and everything—for free.”
Current situation
Jeremy Silvas voiced appreciation for the city of Frisco’s continued generosity including the new field featuring a cushioned surface that is wheelchair friendly.
“Our field was showing its age from baking in the Texas sun for 20 years,” Jeremy Silvas said. “The city owns this field. We pleaded our case to city council. I give the city all the credit in the world. They've been great to us. They paid for this field and the new special needs playground. It’s all brand new.”
MLF paid for a new scoreboard featuring technology that will allow them to put players’ pictures up when they are at bat as well as advertising opportunities.
Quote of note
Jeremy Silvas explains why his participation in MLF has spanned decades.
“Obviously it's important to me, because I was sort of born into it,” he said. “But when you come out here and see the games and the kids smile and see them participate with their brothers and sisters and cousins, then you see the families having a good time in the stands—that just brings you back out every single time.”
Frisco Miracle League Mike Simpson Field, 13995 Main St., Frisco
www.friscomiracleleague.org
Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County sees increased demand for services
