Right now it seems like there’s a drumbeat of bad news crashing down from every direction. Inflation is still on the rise, gasoline is still over $4 a gallon and parts of the United States are under water or on fire.

But sometimes it helps to turn off the TV, unplug from social media and just try to find somebody somewhere doing something good. It doesn’t have to be earthshaking or precedent setting, just something that can put a smile on your face.

There were a lot of smiles in evidence Saturday at the Miracle League Fantasy camp at Cranberry Township’s UPMC Passavant Sportsplex at Graham Park.

Twenty-four special needs athletes took part from eight regional Miracle League organizations dedicated to giving the gift of baseball to those who might otherwise never get a chance to step between the foul lines.

Pirates players, manager Derek Shelton, bench coach Donnie Kelly and even Pirates owner Bob Nutting turned out for the event. There was the Pirate Parrot, the racing pierogies, balloon artists, face painters, bags of swag for the campers and a legion of volunteers in yellow “buddy” T-shirts.

The campers raced to shake hands with a pierogie, get their pictures taken with a major league player including Mars’ favorite son, All-Star relief pitcher David Bednar. Smiles were on the faces of the major league players, the Miracle League athletes, parents, siblings, volunteers and onlookers.

And that’s before the camp itself started. There were four activity stations to instruct the campers in hitting, throwing and fielding. The base running drill brought shouts of encouragement from the crowd.

Each camper got a custom jersey that they had signed by the Pirates players. Each Pirate player, in turn, got a baseball signed by all 24 campers.

There was no talk about standings or small market economics or which Pirate might be gone come the trade deadline.

For more than 15 years, the Miracle League of Southwestern Pa. has provided children and young adults facing physical and mental challenges the chance to play a sport they love.

Mike Sherry, president and founder of the Miracle League, said Saturday’s fantasy camp was a beacon of light for the young athletes.

For us, too, Mr. Sherry. For us, too.

— EF