News....the Miracle League of Orange County, CA

Update: July 13, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all have had as great a season as we have, and we're sorry to see it come to an end. Next Sunday is Closing Day, and we want to make sure ALL PLAYERS ARE THERE! We will have a DJ, be playing at 12:30 sharp, followed by a HOME RUN DERBY, BBQ (Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be provided by the league-please bring drinks and side dishes or desserts to share!), Raffle, Bounce House, Water Balloons, and awarding trophies.

Also don't forget:

Miracle League Discount Cards By Fundaz -- Card Sales Deadline is July 19!

We have one more fundraising week to sell the Fundaz Miracle League Savings Cards to raise money for our equipment and to help fund our new ball field.

We can help defray many of our expenses if each family sells just a 3 or 4 cards to friends and family. See the great discounts at www.miraclesavingscard.org.

It's easy!

1. Sell locally, collect $25 per card with checks made out to Miracle League of Orange County. All card purchases are tax deductible. Make sure you use the sales receipts you were given with the cards to collect the buyer's name, email address and card number (on the back of each card, below the bar code).

2. Email the website address to out of town family members and ask them to buy the card online. Send them a link to: www.miraclesavingscard.org and tell them to click the "buy one now" button.

3. Bring the money you collected, the sales receipts and all unsold cards to next week's final game.

And please tell everyone who buys the card: they have IMMEDIATE ACCESS to ALL THE GREAT DISCOUNTS in Orange County and nationwide by using the Temporary ID: Miracle and Password: League. Each buyer will also get a personal activation code AFTER they buy the card AND click on the "activate here" link below the photos on the Miracle Savings Card web page.

If you have questions about the card, please direct them to Andrea Epstein, Fundaz Managing Partner at aepstein@fundaz.net or call her at 949.721.0944.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Steel Morris
The Miracle League of O.C., CA
6231 Apache Rd.
Westminster, CA 92683
(714)713-2512 ph (714)892-5397 fx
www.miracleleague.net
Non-Profit (501c3) Tax ID 14-1910267

Update: June 24, 2009

Hello Everyone.

The Miracle League’s Fundaz discount card fundraiser is well underway and we need everyone’s help to make it a success! Our goal is to sell 1000 cards! This program will help us raise thousands of dollars to provide equipment, keep registration costs low, and help us work towards our new ball field. Take a moment to check it out at www.miraclesavingscard.org. You can check out the discounts, purchase a new card, or register one that you’re ready to use. For a donation of just $25, you will receive one full year of discounts at merchants you may already shop at including Jiffy Lube, EZLube, Subway, Quiznos, TGIFridays, Disneyland, Legoland, Boomers, Rodrigo’s, Allen Tires, and hundreds more. Bulk purchases are also available if your company is looking for employee incentives, client thank you’s or holiday gifts. Your tax-deductible donation will go a long way in helping us to achieve our goal.

Here is a copy of the card and a letter explaining the program that you can print, email, etc. to friends and family.

Thanks for your support!

Steel Morris
The Miracle League of O.C., CA
6231 Apache Rd, Westminster, CA 92683
(714)713-2512 (714)892-5397 fax
Tax ID# 14-1910267 (a 501(c)3 Non-Profit)

Update: June 17, 2009

Hello Everyone.

We’ve been invited to attend another Baseball Camp, this time with Ventura College and the Miracle League of Ventura. It’s Saturday, June 27th, and maybe if we have anyone interested, we could caravan there.

Like us, they’re trying to build a field, and are just getting started with putting together a league. They would love to have our families bring players to their event.

Look at the info, and let me know ASAP if you can commit to going.

Have a happy Father’s Day.

Steel Morris
The Miracle League of O.C., CA

Reminder: May 27, 2009

Most of you know that Debbie and I will be unavailable this weekend, and the Servite players will be unavailable at our regular start time. We are going to start the games at 2:00, instead of 12:30, which should enable the Servite team to make it out to volunteer as usual. Please let your coaches know if you are unable to attend with this time change.

Coaches: remember there will no snack bar, so this might be a good weekend to organize a pot-luck. Also, please follow up with your teams about their fund raising efforts (card sales). Let me know your results.

Have fun, play safe, and we’ll see you next weekend!

Steel and Debbie Morris
The Miracle League of O.C., CA
6231 Apache Rd, Westminster, CA 92683
(714)713-2512 (714)892-5397 fax
Tax ID# 14-1910267 (a 501(c)3 Non-Profit)

Update: May 19, 2009

Hey Everyone!

The CSUF Titans clinic is tomorrow night, Wednesday, May 20th, from 6-8pm. Dinner is being provided free for our players and the Titans. It's being catered by a Mexican Restaurant so keep that in mind if your child doesn't like Mexican food. Parents and family are being asked to make a $5 donation each if they would like to eat. We also ask that everyone please bring a 6 or 12 pack of your favorite soda to drink and share with the Titan players and coaches.

Coaches, please be sure to call and remind everyone on your rosters so we don't miss anyone.

Thanks a bunch and see you tomorrow night!

Steel and Debbie Morris
The Miracle League of O.C., CA

Update: May 12, 2009

Hi Everyone.

Hope you had a great Mother’s Day. Here’s some great news. As you probably are aware, Fox Sports West was out at the Servite Baseball game on Saturday to do a story on Servite’s involvement with the Miracle League. That story will air during the Angels Pre-Game Show, and again during the Post-Game Show, tomorrow night, Wednesday May 13th. Set your DVR’s and let us know what you think! We hope it will shine a light on the league!

See you Sunday!

Steel Morris

Update: May 7, 2009

Hi Everyone!

First, a quick note of thanks to everyone who came out, donated, volunteered, and worked hard to make our fundraiser Sunday so fun and successful. We hope you all had fun too.

On Saturday, the Servite High School freshman team (who come out to help us each Sunday) will be playing their second to last game of the year at 11:00 at Servite High School in Anaheim. They would love it if the Miracle League Players would come out in Uniform to support them. We also expect Fox Sports West to be at the game to interview players, coaches, and fans. PARENTS – one note of clarification: the Servite game is at 11am. If you want to be a part of the Fox Sports filming – please be there by 9:30 – they will be “rolling tape” at 9:45am.

One of our volunteers, Melanie Belger, the Freshman Baseball Team Mom from Servite, was just nominated by her players and won “Best Team Mom” in a contest sponsored by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Getting the Servite players to come out on Sundays to help us with the Miracle League was a big reason she won this contest. Fox Sports West is expecting to see Miracle League families there to talk about how great the players have been in helping us this season. I hope we can show them our support, as they’ve been our “Angels in the Outfield” this year. By the way, Melanie gets to throw out the first pitch in Sunday’s Angels game as part of her prize. Congratulations Melanie!

Debbie and I look forward to seeing you Saturday. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.

Steel and Debbie Morris
The Miracle League of O.C., CA

Reminder:

The CSUF Titans clinic, originally scheduled for April 15th, is coming up on Wednesday night, May 20th, from 6-8pm. Plan on being there!

Update: April 29, 2009

Hi Everyone!

Just some notes about the upcoming FUNDRAISER this Sunday. First, we wanted to thank everyone who prepaid for the FOOD/DRINK wristbands. We were originally going to have a $10.00 donation per person for food and drinks, so we were giving everyone a discount last Sunday. We decided not to increase the price this Sunday, but to keep the price at $6.00/wristband or 4 for $20.00. We will have Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Chips, Soda, and Water all being provided by the league. If you would like to bring your favorite side dish (potato/macaroni salad, etc.) or dessert (cakes, cup-cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, etc.) to share, that would be greatly appreciated.

A Big Thank You out to the Flyers who put together a fantastic raffle gift basket called “Family Movie Night!” This basket is fun for the whole family and has a value of over $300.00!!! Great job Miracle League Flyers! We’re looking forward to seeing what other creative and fun baskets the other teams come up with. Coaches were given some ideas, but if you would like ideas for themes let me know and we’ll have Debbie contact you. We would like each team to participate with 1 raffle basket donation.

This is a partial list of some of the raffle prizes and auction items we will have at the event:

Angels: Joe Saunders Autographed Picture and Brandon Wood Autographed Baseball Tickets to Future Angels Games

Ducks: Teemu Selanne and Ryan Getzlaf Autographed Pucks Tickets to Future Game

Wine: Robert Mondavi 3 Liter 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (can’t purchase in stores, $1000.00+ value, stating bid $400.00)

Servite Baseball Team: The Servite High School Baseball Team has put together two very special baskets to raffle off at our fundraiser. These boys have really enjoyed getting to know the Miracle League teams. This basket is sure to be a Big Hit!!

Also, the CSUF Titans clinic has been rescheduled for Wednesday night, May 20th, from 6-8pm.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.

Steel and Debbie Morris
The Miracle League of O.C., CA

Update: April 23, 2009

Hi Everyone.

Don’t forget this Sunday is Picture Day, and we need everyone at the field by 11:30, no later than 12:00.. We’ve got uniforms for the new players that didn’t receive them last week, and the coaches have the extra caps.

Also, as we post our pictures on the website and use some of them for our banners and printed materials, please let us know in writing if you would like us to NOT include your child's pictures on our materials. Failure to notify us will be considered permission to use the pictures.

See you all on Sunday,

Steel Morris

Update: April 17, 2009

Hi Everyone.

It’s finally here, Opening Day! This Sunday, April 19th, at 12:30pm, at Buckingham Park in Westminster we’ll kick off our 3rd season. Please tell all your family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, (anyone you meet on the street between today and Sunday) to come out and support the kids! We will have the Mayor of Westminster and hopefully some of the City Council out and we know the kids love it when we pack the stands.

Coaches and volunteers should be at least 1 hour early (between 11:00-11:30) to meet with us, get your new coaches notebooks, and meet your team’s volunteers. We look forward to a great day.

See you Sunday,

Steel Morris

Update: April 11, 2009

Hi Everyone!

Our clinic with the CSUF Titans on Wednesday night April 15th is postponed and will not take place this Wednesday. They accidentally double booked the field, and have a high school baseball tournament scheduled for that night. They will let us know the next date that works for them. Please contact everyone you know that may need this information in case we missed anyone! Sorry for the short notice. We will see everyone on Sunday April 19th for Opening Day!

Many thanks,

Steel Morris

Update: March 13, 2009

Hi Everyone,

ARE YOU READY TO PLAY BASEBALL???

On Sunday, March 29^th, from 12:30 to 3:30 come on out to our brand new field for our first practice/clinic of the season!! We will be taking registrations and playing Miracle League Baseball. We really missed everyone during the off season, and can’t wait to get started on our 2009 season. Directions to Buckingham Park in Westminster can be found here. If you need extra assistance finding the field, please call us!!

Please come out and join us as we will play games with all the players! We will have a raffle for the players who come in their uniforms!!! We will also be handing out information for the parents including schedules and answering questions regarding the 2009 season budget.

Please help us get the 3rd season off to a great start! Debbie and I will be providing hot dogs, chips and drinks for all the families who come out for this great day!!

Thanks and see you real soon,

Steel Morris

The Miracle League of O.C., CA

Reminder:

Hello Everyone!

We hope you've had a nice Fall, a wonderful holiday season, and are as excited as we are for Miracle League Baseball to begin its 3rd season!   We are trying to get things ready for our best year yet, and with your help we can get off to an early start.

After originally being told we would again be given the use of the Olive Park fields, we now find that is not the case. Therefore, we are currently planning to play this season's games at Buckingham Park in Westminster. We are going to try to start play in late March or early April. We will let you know the minute we have our schedule. In the meantime, we're asking all families with returning players, as well as new players to register now! We don't want the delays that were caused by late registrations last year to effect the scheduled start dates (Coaches: please take note! Get your teams to register NOW). Registration forms are available here. Please print them out and send them in with your registration fee right away. Registration is still just $35.00 for returning players who already have their usable uniforms from last year. For new players, and returning players who will need a new uniform, registration will be $50.00, which covers uniforms, caps, pictures, and trophies.

We have received our official 501(c)3 non-profit tax designation from the IRS, so we can begin recruiting corporate sponsors and grants. Please let us know if you have a contact we can discuss sponsorship with.   As you may know, it costs about $10,000 per year to run the league, so this year sponsorships will be critical. Find information on sponsorship programs here.

As always, we would like to encourage everyone to get involved as coaches, team mom's, buddies, and players.   Please send in the registration forms for those positions as well.

We can't wait to see the happy faces of our players out on the field, building confidence, self-esteem, and friendships that last far longer than our season!

Thanks again for your continued support,

Your Miracle League Board

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