Richard Ruprecht

Board Legal Consultant  & Assistant League Director

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, Richard relocated to Washington, D.C., in 1980, to begin his career as a lawyer by day and softball player in the evenings. Win or lose, being part of a ball team gave him a feeling of inclusion, acceptance and camaraderie that brought personal enjoyment and gratification.

In 1986, his first child was born with a cleft condition that introduced him to the challenges of addressing special developmental needs. It also instilled an appreciation in him for the greater community of families of children with special needs.

Richard currently serves as Treasurer of the Bethesda Kiwanis Club and President of its affiliated Foundation. It was through the Kiwanis that he first became aware of the Miracle League concept. Having served as a volunteer coach for many of his own kids’ sports teams, Richard approached Miracle League with a healthy dose of skepticism given the many challenges both on and off the field to such an effort.

Despite all the challenges, he eventually came to realize that the joy of inclusion, acceptance and camaraderie could actually happen on a baseball field for kids with special needs. The smiles started with the first pitch on opening day in April 2011, and the transformative effect on the players, buddies, parents, and volunteers has been a miracle that has inspired him ever since.

Back