Rome Braves general manager Mike Dunn called the grand opening of Miracle Field as one of the proudest moments of his career before the red ribbon was cut and the first pitch was thrown out to officially open the facility.

"It's certainly one of the proudest moments in the Atlanta Braves organization," Dunn said during brief remarks during a ceremony for the opening.

He said words simply couldn't express the joy he felt at being a part of the bringing about Miracle Field, which provides those with special needs a place to where they can enjoy the game of baseball.

Tammy Bryant, the special population coordinator for the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, said that hour-long games for youth and adults will begin next Saturday morning for the opening of the season.

"This year we're going to call it Miracle baseball in honor of Miracle field," she said.

But this isn't any ordinary ball field. The surface itself is made of soft rubber which allows for a greater amount of safety for the players compared to traditional grass and dirt ball parks. Bryant said too that the ball itself is larger so that players can see it coming.

But what's most important is that no score is kept so that it's never about the competition, but the enjoyment of the game itself, Bryant said.

The public is invited to attend the opening day festivities next Saturday, and is being hosted by the Atlanta Braves Foundation, Brooks Building Group, Coca-Cola, Evans Construction, GA Power, Harbin Clinic, the Junior Service League of Rome, and State Mutual Insurance Company.