By Alicia Kelso

In 2005, the City of Dublin witnessed a true miracle.

Backed by numerous community-wide fundraisers, the Miracle League Baseball Field in Darree Fields was constructed, followed two years later by the Miracle Playground.

Now, after the Miracle League’s fourth season, the ante has been upped again. This time donors are hoping to raise enough funds to build a pavilion at the site. A golf outing fundraiser was held earlier this year, with donations going toward this new goal.

Another fundraiser, the Black & Tan Dinner/Dance, will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Muirfield Village Golf Club.

The cocktail-attire gala will feature live and silent auctions, with music provided by Mix 97.1. Auction items include Ohio State football tickets, rounds of golf, jewelry and gift certificates to area spas and restaurants. A cash bar will be available all night.

The baseball field was built when the city joined together with Duke Realty, residents and other area businesses to raise money for the project. The field benefits mentally and physically challenged children ages 3 to 19 around Central Ohio, giving them an opportunity to play baseball.

The field is a custom-designed, universally accessible venue, incorporating a synthetic surface with flat, different-colored rubber base paths, bases, batters’ boxes, a pitcher’s mound and a home plate. There are also handicapped-accessible facilities surrounding the field.

Two years later, residents got together again to raise money for a Miracle Playground adjacent to the baseball field, fulfilling the dreams of children who wanted to enjoy a play area with their individual needs in mind.

Last year’s Black & Tan event raised $14,000, which completed the playground. This year’s goal is to raise at least $15,000 for the pavilion, which will provide a social spot as well as shade.

“It will be a place where players, families and friends can gather, have lunch or visit. In some cases players travel more than an hour to participate and it would be nice to have a place where they can sit comfortably, sheltered from the sun, to enjoy lunch after a game,” Jeanne Fox, a member of the Black & Tan committee, says.

The Muirfield Civic Association’s Black & Tan event supports the pavilion construction with the goal of making Dublin’s Miracle League facility the best in the country, Fox adds.

“People had a fabulous time at last year’s Black & Tan with wonderful food, great entertainment and outstanding auction items,” says Megan Harte, event organizer. “This year’s event promises to be another very special evening.”

For more information about the event, or to purchase tickets or volunteer, contact Harte at 614-760-0991 or mharte@columbus.rr.com.

Sponsorship and corporate table opportunities also are available. For more information, contact Missy Burkett at 614-793-2050 or mburkett@wowway.com. To donate auction items, contact Rekha Manakkal at 614-889-9903 or manakkal@sbcglobal.net.

Alicia Kelso is editor of Dublin Life.