Thursday’s Miracle Field social raised more than $3,000 and “a lot of interest” for the project to build a Miracle League field.

The kick-off began the $450,000 fundraising effort, and included live music, a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and light beverages. The event was sponsored in part by Horn Beverage Co. Inc.

Barbara Tyler, who coordinates for the city, said ticket sales raised $1,755, while the silent auction generated nearly $1,400.

“That gives us a total of $3,145 and a lot of interest in making other contributions,” Tyler said.

Already, the City of Andalusia has commitments from the Covington County Commission, the Town of Sanford, and the City of Opp.

Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience America’s favorite pastime. Children play on custom-designed, rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assertive devices. The league uses a “buddy” system, pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. More than 500 potential Miracle League players have been identified in Covington County.