Zebulon — Nicholas Tutor had big plans on Monday night — show-stealing type plans — but he kept things close to his vest. Then he took over the Miracle League All-Star Game held in conjunction with the 38th Southern League All-Star Game last Monday night at Five County Stadium.

Tutor, who plays the game he and his fellow Miracle League players love, while using his wheeled walker, shed his mechanical assistant and raced from third base to home plate on his hands and knees, scoring the final run of the game, which ended in a 14-all tie.

Even Benson native John Raynor, the Mudcat outfielder and All-Star who leads the Southern League in stolen bases, was impressed. “He wouldn’t tell us what he was going to do,” Raynor said of Tutor. “I’d heard he had a surprise but it was cool to be a part of his night and meet his family.

“He’s a great kid, great personality, just a fun guy.”

Mudcats’ owner Steve Bryant quickly backed the idea of what happened before the professionals took over the field at Five County Stadium, opting to put on a game with Miracle Leaguers and Southern League All-Stars playing together instead of going for the traditional fare of a home run derby.

None of the 5,667 fans in attendance for the night were disappointed with what they got instead, neither were the players who participated.

What they saw instead were players not all that much different than the pros they regularly come out to watch. Sure, they bring along a few more physical challenges to the field but they’re as thrilled by the crack of a bat, the smell of the grass and the thrill of a good base knock as the “bigger” stars are.

“I was looking forward to it but I really didn’t think I would get as much out of it as I did,” said Mudcats’ second baseman and All-Star Game MVP Chris Coghlan. “Now I know why everyone keeps talking about it. It was really special and we’ll probably never be able to do that again.

“I don’t know many other All-Star Games that have something like that.”

The relationship between the Mudcats and the Cary-based Miracle League started a few years ago. Players and coaches with the Marlins’ farm club started helping out from time to time at games and held a few clinics and everyone involved came back raving.

“I got a little taste of it earlier in the year when I went out one Saturday morning and helped in a game,” said Mudcats’ and Northern Division All-Star manager Matt Raleigh. “It’s something that if you haven’t done it, you need to do it. It gives you an appreciation of life, I’ll tell you that. It was outstanding to be a part of that.”

The reaction of the Southern League players showed just how involved they were. When the Miracle League game ended, there were no mad rushes to the clubhouse. The bonds they’d made with the Miracle League players with which they were paired were firmly in place.

Raynor, beaming after “The Tiger” made his trip around the bases, took on the role of proud teammate, carrying Tutor through the post-game handshake line.

“It was very different,” Raynor said. “I’d heard some guys say it was great but you don’t know what to expect. It was touching. I was glad I had the chance to be a part of it.

“Those kids were glad that we were there but for me that made the year for me. It was very touching to be a part of it.”

Coghlan marveled at the determination of his teammate, “Die Hard” Willis.

“It’s a good cause and you’re going to feel good about yourself being out there but it shows you more about other things in life,” Coghlan said. “I think it’s a bigger deal for us than them. It shows you how fortunate that God has blessed us with what we have and that we’re able to come out here and play the game.

“I’ve got to give it up for my man, ‘Die Hard.’ He gave it up over there at first base. We had a blast.”

Yep, we did.