BY KEITH BARNES TRI-STATE SPORTS & NEWS SERVICE
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Rachel Miles was like a lot of siblings with brothers who play sports. She spent a lot of time at area fields with her parents watching him play.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “I really enjoyed watching him back when he was in elementary school.”
Now, thanks to Special Olympics, the two get to play together.
Alex and Rachel Miles, 24-year-old twins from O’Hara, are teammates on the Olympic Flames team that will participate in the Special Olympics North America Softball Championships, which will be held Sept. 6-8 at No Offseason Sports in Russellton.
More than 20 teams from around the United States, Canada and potentially the Caribbean are expected to compete. Rachel and Alex Miles were among the Special Olympics athletes on hand when the championships were announced Jan. 24 at PNC Park on the North Shore. The press conference included representatives from the Pittsburgh Pirates, USA Softball, SportsPITTSBURGH, Visit Pittsburgh and the Sports and Exhibition Authority.
To be eligible for the Special Olympics, a participant must be 8 or older and considered to have an intellectual disability or functional limitations.
Rachel, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the third grade, has played sports all her life. She ran track in middle school, played club basketball and ultimate frisbee in high school and began participating in Special Olympics in softball, bocce, golf, basketball and other sports in 2018.
Her brother joined as a unified partner on a bocce team while the two were in high school. Now, he plays alongside her on a softball team that includes people with and without special needs.
“It’s a really cool experience to be able to take the road with her and see her develop in an organization like this,” Alex said.
“Coming from a baseball background and getting to meet up with her on the unified team (along with the fact) our parents are involved and coaching, it’s like a big family event. We have some new teammates on the team that we can call family as well and it’s a really cool event.”
Alex was an outstanding baseball player. He was named to the WPIAL Class 5A Section 1 All-Section Team as an infielder his senior year at Fox Chapel Area High School. He also pitched for the Foxes and was among the WPIAL leaders in strikeouts with 42.
After high school, he moved on to play at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Watching her brother from a distance was fun, Rachel said, but having him by her side on the field is much better. It’s easy to see her joy when her eyes light up as she talks about the two taking the field together.
“I really enjoy playing with him. … He’s our home run hitter. It’s a lot of fun and a good experience playing with him,” Rachel said. “I’m the star pitcher for the Special Olympics team. I hit a little. I try to get it to the outfield, but it never really goes that far.”
Alex has easily made the transition from college baseball to Special Olympics softball. He’s proud to be able to help his sister develop as an athlete.
“I’ve been able to learn some skills and help out in practices — not just her, but the rest of the team,” he said. “I’ve been able to help them work on some drills and some basic team-building activities. But to be able to gain much more than just being a part of a team is incredible.”
The twins played together for the first time on the diamond last year at the softball championships in Lynchburg, Virginia.
“It was pretty cool. I love going on the coach bus and it’s pretty cool to see how many people cheer for us,” Rachel said. “I really enjoy doing the different events and sports especially.”
This time, though, there will be no long bus rides on the interstate; just a quick trip in the car up Route 28.
“It will be cool playing here,” Rachel said.
She and her brother have grown even closer during their time riding buses and playing together, they said. After a few minutes talking with them, it’s clear they are twins.
“It’s a lot of fun to share,” she said. “He hates sharing birthdays with me, but it’s a lot of fun.”