Players for the Davenport Challenger League may have a new field to play on soon, specifically designed their needs.
The Davenport Challenger League is for kids and adults with physical and mental disabilities. The teams normally play on fields around Davenport and Moline that aren't completely accessible for wheelchairs or walkers.
The new, all-inclusive "Miracle Field" will be completely at one-level and have a rubber surface. The estimated $1 million project is still in its early design stages, but Davenport City Council heard plans for the field last month.
"The sand and the grass and things like that, that’s all wonderful to play on but for these kids, it’s really hard for them to manipulate in," said Craig Benisch, a board member for the Davenport Challengers.
"The change in elevation is harder on a lot of the kids, whether they’re in a walker or not," said Bill Sweeney, another board member for the Davenport Challengers. "When it rains, the kids in the wheelchairs have a harder time with the wet fields."
On Sunday, the Challengers played at Modern Woodmen Park for their annual Great River Challenge game. Coaches and parents said the kids look forward to the game all season.
"He’s been telling everybody about it for weeks," said Gerriane Benisch, the mother of one of the players on the team. "He loves all the activity. He loves all of his family and friends that come to see him, and just to be on the field where the River Bandits are is just so exciting for him."
The Miracle Field will be paid for through fundraising and grants. Coaches tell News 8 they will start that process soon.