Zebulon — It’s rare that a group of players and their coach go out of their way to start a relationship with a charitable organization. Sure, those involved in professional athletics are more than willing to give back to the community when they take part in events that are set up by others, but the effort it took to kick start their own event shows a little more.

So when former pitching coach Scott Mitchell and several Carolina Mudcats’ players came to the organization wanting to put together a baseball clinic for the young ball players in the Miracle League of the Triangle, Mudcats’ general manager Joe Kremer was quick to speed the process along.

The first Miracle League baseball clinic was held last summer with Mudcat players and coaches working with players in the league, which gives children with special needs a chance to experience the game of baseball, regardless of their ability level.

So as plans for the 37th annual Southern League All-Star Game, to be played Monday night at Five County Stadium, started to come together, the Miracle League was quick to come up. And the decision was made that Miracle League players will compete in a special Miracle League of the Triangle Game with members of the Southern League All-Star squads before the scheduled All-Star Game.

“Everybody came to the conclusion that it was a great idea,” Kremer said. “Our established relationship with the Miracle League made it easy to put together. It was the perfect idea all around.”

The Miracle League game is set for 6:05 p.m. and will be followed by the Southern League All-Star Game at 7:05.

The Miracle League started in 2004 with a goal of having 40 kids participate in the opening season. The league fielded eight teams with 86 players that season and has grown every year.

Players in Miracle League games are assisted by a volunteer during their games. At the All-Star Game those volunteers will be the Southern League All-Stars. The children will be wearing All-Star Game T-shirts, complete with their names and numbers, have their pictures on the Mudcats’ video board and approach home plate with their own personalized introductory walk-up music.

The Southern League All Stars will join the Miracle League players on field as “Buddies” for the game. After the Southern League All-Star game, the custom jerseys that the Southern League All-Stars will wear will be auctioned off during the game and proceeds will be donated to the Miracle League.

“This is something these players may remember more than the game itself,” Bryant said. “When I talked to the players who were here last year, their time with the Miracle League was one of the things they remembered most about their experience here.

“If you haven’t seen a Miracle League game, you haven’t seen baseball. We’re all in for a treat.”