ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —  Matt Walker has always felt at home on a baseball field.

“It is basically indescribable.”

Walker is 28-years-old and living with cerebral palsy. He’s also the executive director and founder of a nonprofit called Miracle by the Bay.

What You Need To Know

  •  Miracle by the Bay is an all-inclusive baseball league in Tampa Bay 

  •  Matt Walker created the league to serve individuals of all ages with various disabilities 

  •  Walker has cerebral palsy and noticed a void in the baseball community 

Matt Walker has always felt at home on a baseball field.

“It is basically indescribable,” he said. 

Walker is 28-years-old and living with cerebral palsy. He’s also the executive director and founder of a nonprofit called Miracle by the Bay.

“This baseball league is an all-inclusive baseball league for individuals with various disabilities,” Walker explained.

Everyone is welcome here, regardless of age.  

“If a special needs individual is not able to play baseball on their own, we have miracle workers. That’ll come in and just help them.”

One of those miracle workers is Leanne Henderson, who knows how important this type of program is. She’s a teacher and mom of a grown son with autism.

“I know exactly how the parents of these athletes feel because finding something like this is like hitting the jackpot when there haven’t been many opportunities for your child,” Henderson said.

Walker saw there was a void. He got the idea for Miracle by the Bay while playing for a disability league at the age of 17.

“Miracle by the Bay’s mission is to inspire, encourage and empower individuals though mentorship,” Walker said.

With the help of the Rays , the city of St. Petersburg and various sponsors, that dream has come to life with Rays players taking part in many of the games.

Shawn Drouin works for the city of St. Petersburg and has seen the impact first-hand.

“The Rays giving up their Saturdays when they could be anywhere, but they’re here they love it, they’re giving back,” Drouin said.

Volunteers are crucial to the league’s success. Laurie Lupcho is one of them and also serves on the board.

“Without this, there isn’t a lot of that, and it’s one of those things that, being able to see those kids who absolutely love the game, and probably felt they never had an opportunity to play the game, they do now. And they feel like they’re truly a part of it,” Lupcho reflected.

Now, they have a league of their own.

“The smiles on these kids’ faces, they may not be able to run or swing a bat or these things, but they come in here and they do it,” Drouin said. “They’re running the bases and people are helping them swing. It’s truly magical and Matt does it all.”

Walker wants to make sure everyone feels at home here.