"I fell down a couple of times because I was trying to run to second base and some other bases and I slipped on the dirt," explained Rockies baseball player Michael Ornelas.

Slips and falls on a regular baseball field were something Ornelas couldn’t risk because of disabilities. He and about 300 other children are a part of The Miracle League, which helps children with challenges to play baseball in El Paso.

Now with a new playing field for youngsters with special needs, he's heading back to the baseball diamond.

"It's gonna really help out all the players when they're playing baseball,” said Ornelas. “We're gonna have a lot of fun."

Crews are now laying on the asphalt and making some of the final touches to the field at Ponder Park.

"It's a specially designed surface for persons with disabilities,” said The Miracle League Executive Director Sandie Olivar. “It makes it easier for our children that use wheelchairs assisted devices."

The Defargo surface is the key safety feature. The surface is shock absorbent, which means fewer cuts and bruises for baseball players with special needs. The field will also have painted bases so children won’t risk tripping over the bases.

The safer field it brings a sigh of relief to Ornelas’s father Samuel, who has two disabled sons who love sports.

"Being out there in the field playing baseball, I mean it's so wonderful to see their smiles," said Samuel Ornelas.

The new baseball field opens on April 5. It will also be used for soccer games. The Miracle League is also looking for volunteers to help disadvantaged children play baseball. To volunteer call 872-9249.