Apr 17, 20233 min read

Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Opening Day Parade To Celebrate the 2023 Season

FAIRFIELD, OH (April 17, 2023)—It’s baseball season at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—which means it’s time to kick the season off in style with a parade!

The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields Opening Day Parade presented by The TQL Foundation is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10:00am. The parade route begins at Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield and winds its way through the local neighborhood before ending with a short on-field ceremony at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.

Ed Hartman pictured with 700 WLW's Chick Ludwig and Nuxhall Foundation President & Board Chairman Kim Nuxhall.

Iconic Cincinnati pitchman and philanthropist Ed Hartman will be honored as this year’s parade grand marshal. Hartman will lead a crew of special needs all-stars from the Great Miami Valley YMCA Youth League and the Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled (TRD) Adult League marching alongside community members and organizations including: 2022 Nuxhall Humanitarian Award Winner and Cincinnati Reds batboy Teddy Kremer, JNMLF mascot Joey The Can-Do Kangaroo, the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings vintage baseball team, and Cincinnati Reds mascot Gapper.

“I’m truly honored to be the grand marshal of this year’s parade,” says Hartman. “This foundation is blessed to have people with a passion to help and inspire kids and adults who have been given challenges to overcome. I thank The Nuxhall Foundation and the family for this honor. I know The Ole Lefthander is in heaven guiding us as we move forward towards more opportunities for those we serve.”

Hartman helps to lead The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Golf Outing as chairman of the event, which is in its 38th year. Proceeds from the outing support The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship, which has awarded nearly one million dollars to student athletes throughout Butler County. Hartman is also a steady presence at all Nuxhall Foundation events, including the NUXY Bash each summer where he often pitches in the celebrity softball game.

“The idea of a parade for our athletes was all about taking a big swing to provide them with a big league experience,” says Kim Nuxhall, President and Board Chairman of The Nuxhall Foundation. “This event has grown into one of our all-time favorite traditions. Folks are used to seeing me well-up with tears of emotion on a regular basis, and this event is no different because of what it means to us and what it represents. Seeing so many people turn out to cheer on and celebrate our athletes will create tears of joy for me and everyone who participates.”

The Nuxhall Foundation is excited to welcome The TQL Foundation as the new presenting sponsor for the opening day parade.

The TQL Foundation was created in 2015 to harness the values of Total Quality Logistics, LLC for the good of the community. Just as TQL’s success hinges on strong teams that exceed expectations for their customers, the TQL Foundation exists to do the same for the community.

“Total Quality Logistics is a corporation driven by character, and they are a perfect partner for the work we are doing,” says Tyler Bradshaw, Executive Director for The Nuxhall Foundation. “Each and every day, TQLers strive to make the world a better place. They’re doing that in a huge way for the special needs families who call the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields home by supporting our parade.”

Parade participants are encouraged to line up at Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield beginning at 9:15am (no early arrivals; those who arrive early will be asked to return later). Parade staff will organize the units into a parade line, which begins its march towards the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields at 10:00am. Upon arrival at the facility, a brief on-field ceremony will recognize Hartman and Miracle League all-stars from both the youth and adult league. Local vocalist Kim Beatty will perform the national anthem.

The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall. A central project of The Nuxhall Foundation is The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—an entirely accessible baseball and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play. More than 200 players between ages 4 to 78 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields. For more information, visit www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org.

Parade Details:

The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields Opening Day Parade

Saturday April 22, 2023

10:00am

Schedule:

9:15 Parade Lineup (Sacred Heart Church, 400 Nilles Road, Fairfield)

10:00 Parade Departure

~10:45 On-Field Parade Ceremony & Celebration

For Participants:

· All parade participants must celebrate and reflect the spirit and mission of The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.

· Youth and adult league all-stars will have the option to ride on vehicles provided by the parade organizers.

· No early arrivals are permitted before the 9:15 scheduled lineup (early arrivals will be asked to return later).