Field of dreams becoming a reality.

Four years ago, members of the Monroe [Washington] Miracle League, a baseball group for children with disabilities, decided to build a ball field on a city-owned parcel of land. Their most formidable challenge, however, was to raise the $1,000,000 needed for the project.

A new milestone was reached when one of their members, Jason Petty of Monroe, secretly entered the league into a contest sponsored by Farmers Insurance Group and, much to his surprise, won $10,000! When the company awarded a check for the prize to the baseball league, it brought contributions to $200,000, enabling members to have a groundbreaking for the field.

The league has since received more donations. Ric Carlson, the league's director, told the Everett, Washington, Daily Herald: "It's great to see a pay-it-forward thing."

Though the project is still underway, league members are encouraged and ready to "play ball" as soon as the field is finished. When league officials asked Petty if he wants to serve as a base coach or buddy for players, he replied: "Absolutely, whenever they need me."