“Every child should have the opportunity to play a sport, regardless of ability. It’s where we develop friendships and build confidence,” emphasizes Tonya Andruskiewicz, director of West Metro Miracle League.
And that is exactly the mission behind the West Metro Miracle League — to create the opportunity to play baseball for people of all abilities. The Miracle League gives kids with any cognitive or physical challenges the chance to step up to the plate.
“‘Person with a disability’ is a distinction that you and I could become labeled as at any given moment,” says Tonya. “That thought, along with the fact that people with disabilities deal with additional medical issues due to being sedentary, leading to a decline in mental health, is a terrible trifecta. Miracle League gives every person the opportunity to get outside, move their bodies, and make a friend. That is a terrific trifecta!”
Miracle League’s programs and field at Bennett Family Park in Minnetonka are specifically designed to eliminate obstacles that can be found on typical fields. Tonya explains, “Our surface is made of a rubberized material, similar to a track, that is flat, eliminating tripping hazards and making it easier for wheelchairs and walkers to maneuver around.”
The equipment is also lighter-weight and softer than typical baseball equipment, so it’s easier to swing the bat and hurts less when a player or volunteer ends up in the middle of a line drive.
Miracle League isn’t the only one calling the field home. The Minnetonka Girls’ Softball Association (MGSA) has also become part of the action. “About three years ago, due to a shortage of fields in the community, we started subletting the field for our t-ball teams,” says Kelly Wischmeier, MGSA president. “The field is a perfect size for this age group.”
MGSA also participates in the Miracle League’s “buddy” program, where Miracle League athletes are paired with an MGSA peer. “We’ve buddied up with Miracle League for about 10 years, and this past fall, we had 100% of our 12U and 14U teams volunteer,” says Kelly. “These softball players often run into their buddies at school or in the community, and they are able to say hello. It makes both Miracle League players and our softball community feel special!”
Tonya adds, “Coaches of the buddy teams often tell me that their teams say 'buddying' was the highlight of their season. As competitive as youth sports are these days, we often need the reminder that you don’t have to have amazing skills or even be good at a sport to enjoy playing the game. The Miracle League athletes and the buddies come away with smiles and a little more pride.”
MGSA also reached out with a helping hand in the fall of 2024. “The Miracle League has been a one-woman show with Tonya at the helm,” says Kelly. “I watched her struggle with getting help to do registration, scheduling, uniforms, pictures, and more, so I brought the idea to my board, where we would adopt the organization to lighten Tonya’s load, and she can focus her attention on the players and families.” Every MGSA board member voted yes.
“We are eternally grateful to pair up with Minnetonka Girls Softball — an organization I played for myself when I was growing up!” says Tonya.
And the timing was perfect, because the field is in dire need of repair.
The Miracle League field was built in 2009, the second field of its type in the entire state. However, its age is catching up with it.
“The field is literally coming apart at the seams,” says Tonya. “First, we replaced the fence posts as they were starting to push up the asphalt, and had created bumps and ridges in the area of play, as well as making the entrances to the field too narrow for wheelchairs to get into. In some spots, the turf had worn off, and asphalt was showing through.”
The re-surfacing project includes ripping out the old turf and asphalt and basically starting over. New asphalt, new turf, and repaired fencing are all required, totaling around $350,000.
“As of today, the removal of the old field, the new asphalt, and the removal of the existing fence have been completed, all with the combined existing funds of Miracle League and MGSA,” says Kelly. “However, we still need to raise the entire project cost.”
So far, Miracle League and MGSA have received private donations from families and friends, as well as generous donations from Sheels in Eden Prairie, LOFFLER Co., and a 2025 Twins Hennepin County Baseball and Softball grant. But, they still have a long way to go.
“We want to do whatever it takes to keep these athletes in their own district. These kids are from Minnetonka and should be able to play for Minnetonka just like their classmates and friends,” says Kelly.
Both Tonya and Kelly are hoping to bring more awareness to this incredible program.
“We have many families in MGSA with children who have disabilities and have never heard of Miracle League,” says Kelly. “We’re hoping that every child in our community has the opportunity to play the best sport on Earth!”
Learn how you can get involved at tonkasoftball.org/homepage/miracle-league/ and learn more about the Bennett Family Park field project at: app.schoolfundr.org/fund/miracleleaguefieldfundraiser2025