Despite winning a World Series in 2017 with the Houston Astros, Josh Reddick recently accomplished the greatest moment to this point in his career by fulfilling a childhood dream.
According to a video on Infield Chatter, Houston Astros outfielder Josh Reddick did something great for children near his hometown in Effingham County, Georgia. Following a $1 million donation by the Reddick Foundation, a little league field made specifically for children with special needs had its grand opening on July 21st. The field is being referred to as the “Miracle Field.”
"Reddick stated: “I think my heart is gonna grow about five times. It’s gonna be heartwarming. I think it would be the best feeling to see the faces or excitement of kids playing on it.”"
According to Effingham Now’s Rick Lott on the Savannah Morning News, “the field is turf and uniformly even, allowing wheelchairs to move about freely.” The entire field and the dugouts were designed with children’s special needs in mind.
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Clarence Morgan, the director of Effingham County Recreation and Parks, worked with Reddick and Trey Saxon, the president of the Josh Reddick Foundation, to make this field a reality for children with special needs to have an equal opportunity at the game of baseball.
The Effingham County Navigator Team were the first participants on the field after it opened at the Clarence E. Morgan Sports Complex. They are a non-profit group that aims to assist special needs children and their families. Pauline Shaw is the founder and president of the Navigator Team.
Shaw told Effingham Now: “Morgan has been around kids a long time and he wants disabled children to have the same opportunity as other children – ‘making friends, making memories, and having fun.’ This was their vision (the Reddick Foundation) and it’s our vision and they helped make that vision come true.”
The field was inspired by a work-related accident Reddick’s father suffered 30 years ago. In the accident, Mr. Reddick lost part of his left arm and two fingers on his right hand. As the injury happened when Josh Reddick was an infant, the field is a gift to the area for all of their support throughout the years.
"Reddick stated: “Everything that we are doing, I wanted to make sure that everybody could participate.”"
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As we have seen a few controversial stories this week throughout baseball, it is wonderful to see a player give back to the community in a way that would warm anyone’s heart.