Cary, NC – Ever seen the movie “Field of Dreams?’ Well, the real thing exists right here in Cary. It’s called Thomas Brooks Park but is also known as the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

The air was chilly on Saturday, but NCAA teams including the Wolfpack were swinging the wood and getting warm in the field.

The park really is a model of baseball perfection – beautifully manicured fields, modern facilities for players and a spacious grandstand where every seat is right on top of the action.

Signature events this year include:

• June 23-27 – Tournament of Stars presented by Major League Baseball
• July 14-15 – College National Team vs. Korea
• Autumn – USA Baseball Women’s Championship

USA Baseball develops teams from 12U to the majors for the national and Olympic squads. Past USA Baseball players include Evan Longoria, Jeff Francoeur and Nomar Garciaparra.

The weather may still be cold, but the return of baseball to Brooks Park means that summer can’t be that far off.

Friday nights aren’t just for high school football!  How about fall baseball?  My daughter and I had the honor and pleasure of volunteering for the Miracle League of the Triangle on Friday night.

The Miracle League is a wonderful organization that offers children of special needs the opportunity to participate in America’s favorite past time.  We started off with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner”.  We ate hotdogs.  The game had plenty of excitement and raucous cheering.  It was everything any other baseball game I ever saw - and more.

Friday night’s game offered an extra special treat, the U18 (18 and under) National USA Baseball team took a break from their training and game schedule to serve as “buddies” to these very special kids.

I’m not sure who had a more fun, the buddies or the players.  I’ve seen a few baseball games in my time, but this is the first I’ve seen players (and their buddies) come into home base literally doing cartwheels! The kids and their buddies were so excited about every hit, run and score that I could not help becoming swept into the excitement as well.

Some of these kids have very severe challenges.  Imagine being at the plate facing a pitcher from a wheelchair.  However, the games are not about their limitations, but about the possibilities.

If you’ve never been to one of these games I encourage you to do so.  It will truly lift your spirits.

These young players all know the true meaning of sportsmanship: rooting for each other and being thrilled for each other’s accomplishments no matter how small they may seem.

The season ends Saturday, November 1st.  I encourage everyone to set aside at least one Friday night or Saturday morning to catch a game!  Treat yourself to the joy these kids display and their love of the game in the purest sense.  The field is conveniently located adjacent to Adam’s Elementary off of Cary Town Boulevard across from Cary Town Centre.

To learn more about the Miracle League of the Triangle go to www.miracleleagueofthetriangle.com . For more on USA Baseball visit www.usabaseball.com

More pictures from the game:

Story and pictures by Vickie Maxwell.  Edited by Matt Young & Hal Goodtree.

USA Baseball fended off a late rally by Canada to win 7-4 Friday evening at Brooks Park in Cary.

The USA started off strong with 3 runs in the first and 4 in the second. Canada put a run on the board in the second on the game’s only home run and added 3 more runs in the eighth. But it was too little, too late.

Baseball legend Carmen Fusco, currently Director of Scouting for the Seattle Mariners, traveled to Cary for the game. He gave CaryCitizen a look at his World Series rings.

The teams met as part of a warm-up for the biennial World Cup Baseball Classic which begins in Europe in less than 2 weeks. The USA is the defending champion.

More pictures from the game:

Staff photos by Hal Goodtree.

Photo by awirtanen via Flickr Creative Commons license

USA Baseball is set to come back to Cary from September 2-6 to train for the IBAF World Cup including 4 games against Canada.

Kansas City Royals coach Eddie Rodriguez was selected last week to manage the 2009 team. The U.S. will begin World Cup competition on Sept. 10 in Regensburg, Germany against Venezuela. China and Germany are the other two teams in the opening-round pool.

The USA team won gold in the 2007 World Cup.

Tickets are $5 and $10 and are available from USABaseball.

Photo by awirtanen via Flickr Creative Commons license.