A new Greater Des Moines charity was born this morning. Its beneficiaries will be children with disabilities who simply want to play baseball.

The Kiwanis Miracle League at Principal Park, with a specially designed surface for children with disabilities, will be built just across the street from Principal Park. The Des Moines Kiwanis Club and the current Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute class announced their partnership in the project this morning. They hope to throw out the first pitch on June 14.

“It’s geared to kids who can’t play on a dirt field,” said Bob Mitchell, the Kiwanis Club’s president. Mitchell said the club is within $3,000 of reaching a $150,000 fund-raising goal it set in November for the field, which has an estimated total cost of $636,000.

The Kiwanis Club estimates approximately 3,100 children between the ages of 5 and 15 with disabilities in Polk, Warren and Dallas counties could potentially use the field. Players will be assisted by volunteers and play according to specialized rules, with each game ending in a tie score. Each Miracle League game will be played on a day when no Iowa Cubs game is scheduled. Organizers expect to field 10 teams initially, with 12 to 15 players per team.

“This is probably the biggest addition we’ve made since we’ve been owners and operators of the field,” said Sam Bernabe, president and general manager of the Iowa Cubs, during a press conference this morning at the Cub Club. “It’s something we’ve thought of for several years, because we’ve seen some of our colleagues do it around the country.”

The Iowa Cubs have agreed to sublease the land to the new nonprofit organization at no cost, and will also provide maintenance and upkeep for the ballpark. Hubbell Realty will provide use of its adjoining parking lots at the Riverpoint office complex. The Leadership Institute class has pledged to raise funds to build the concession and restroom facilities for the project and is providing volunteer assistance.

A groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for March 31 at the site. A player sign-up day will be held April 12 at inPlay Des Moines, 615 Third St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information is available online at www.miracleleagueofdmkiwanis.org.