Lakeville's Miracle Field Named After Twins' Great Harmon Killebrew

Four years ago, Brian Roseen left his home with his son to play catch at a Lakeville baseball field. The day changed his life.

“My son and I were playing baseball and a young boy in a wheelchair came over and we tried to get him onto the field, but it just wasn’t designed for wheelchairs," he said. "So we went home and started doing some research."

What Roseen discovered was the Miracle league of Minnesota, a baseball league for children of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs or who may need help to play.

And now, four years later, Lakeville will open its very own Miracle Field on June 26 at .

By all accounts, Roseen was instrumental helping raise the $400,000 needed to build Lakeville's Miracle Field, which is similar to a normal baseball field but features a rubberized surface to make the game safe for players of all abilities.

And the field will also have a MInnesota Twins connection.

The Harmon Killebrew Foundation, which has donated over $250,000 toward Miracle Field projects around the country, was a major financial supporter of Lakeville’s new field. Kelly McDyre is executive director of the foundation and she said the baseball great, who passed away last month, was passionate about helping kids.

“Harmon was introduced to the Miracle League about four years ago and fell in love with the organization and its purpose,” McDyre said. “He had a pure love of the game. He also loved children and saw this as an opportunity to bring his love of baseball to children who may not always have the opportunity to play.”

In Killebrew's honor, Lakeville's Miracle field will be named after the Minnesota Twins' great: Harmon Killebrew Field.

The preliminary construction, which included asphalt, fencing and initial surfaces, was completed last fall. The last step this spring was for the Lakeville Baseball Association to complete fundraising efforts to cover the cost of pouring the rubberized surface. That goal was achieved and the surface was poured last weekend.

Roseen said that when he told the Miracle League four years ago about the need for a field in the south metro, their response was "We’ve been waiting for your call." It didn't take long for Lakeville's City Council to get onboard, as well as donors to help pay for the field.

Roseen will direct the South Metro Miracle League and continue as a volunteer with the Lakeville Baseball Association. 

Six teams and about 65 players are ready to begin play on the new field, and all the needed team sponsorships have been sold. Roseen said the field will give many kids their first chance to play baseball in an organized league, which benefits everyone.

“One of the best parts of the program is that every player has a buddy from the Lakeville Baseball Association’s travel team. It’s kids helping kids, and that’s much bigger than the game,” Roseen said.

Lakeville Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud said the new field is an important addition to the south metro area. 

“We’re servicing a need that’s been out there for years and only recently addressed,” Michaud said. “It’s a national movement. We have hundreds of youth south of the river from Prior Lake to Hastings that now have the opportunity to play on a field and experience baseball. We’re proud to be part of the project and are grateful to the city council for providing the land necessary to build it. Now families won’t have to drive for hours to find an adapted field,” Michaud said.

Michaud said the passing of Harmon Killebrew was a blow, as the Miracle League was hoping to have him present at the grand opening.

“That gentleman really represents a lot of good things about sports and community,” Michaud said. “We’re proud the field is being named for him and his legend will carry on for a longtime here in Lakeville.”

Harmon Killebrew Field is the fourth adapted field to be built in the metro area. There are also fields in Minnetonka, Blaine and Woodbury. Left to complete by the June 26th grand opening are the scoreboard, some signage and the dugout structures. The only thing needed then will be kids eager to take their first swing.

For more information on the Lakeville Baseball Association and Miracle Field, visit: http://www.lakevillebaseball.org.