April 1 marked the opening day of the spring season for Miracle League baseball at the Langham Creek Family YMCA in Cypress, but that was not the only cause for celebration. Thanks in part to a $250,000 donation from the Astros Foundation, YMCA officials were able to kick this season off with a brand new field. The original field opened in spring 2015 at the YMCA's J.E. and L.E. Mabee Adaptive Sports Complex. The second field was badly needed to provide more playing space for the program, which has grown from 40 children in 2015 to 180 children enrolled this season, according to YMCA officials. In that time, the adaptive sports complex has also grown to include adaptive basketball, soccer, flag football, and swim lessons with 700 children enrolled across all programs. “This second field officially completes the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Adaptive Sports Complex and will allow even more children to play sports and feel like any other child," said Paul McEntire, president and CEO of Greater Houston area YMCAs. "I’m incredibly proud of this facility and grateful to the Astros Foundation and other donors who have put this complex on the national map for adaptive sports venues.” Construction on the field, which cost $530,000 in total, began in November. The remainder of the funding came from community donations. Similar to the original field, the new field was made with a special synthetic turf to cater to players in wheelchairs and walkers. Volunteers called "buddies" participate each season and help guide players around the bases and cheer them on. The complex is now the largest adaptive sports facility in the Greater Houston area. It also includes a barrier-free playground for children to play on, which was completed in 2016. At the same time it made its donation to the Langham Creek YMCA, the Astros Foundation also donated $250,000 for a similar project to be built in northeast Harris County in partnership with Humble ISD. “The Foundation is committed to growing youth participation in baseball and softball," Astros Foundation Executive Director Twila Carter said in a statement. "The partnership with the YMCA provides an increased opportunity for a widespread, far-reaching and inclusive impact in the communities served by both organizations.”