Bug's on the Field

My little Hunter always loved to play ball. When he was five, he finally received his first chance at being part of the team. He had been fascinated with baseball from the time he turned two. And always watching it on the television while other toddlers his age were playing with toys or watching cartoons. But not Hunter Bug, he loved ball. That's what he called it.

Hunter was born with Cerbal Palsy. I never thought he would be able to play in a regular league, but he proved me wrong, no special ed for him. He would have it. Even at age five, he could not run like the other kids or catch a ball. He is left handed and his right arm just didn't want to work right. But that still didn't stop him.

He learned very fast that he could not out run the ball to first base. But he had a plan, if he fell, then someone would stop what they were doing to go help him up. It was always the first baseman. He had learned how to play them, as well as playing the game. And he would be safe at first. Once there, he had a chance at making it home safely.

This worked every game for the next couple years. Then we moved up into another league. T-ball was very easy for him, but I wasn't so sure he would be able to keep it up in coach pitch. Once again he proved me wrong. He learned how to judge the pitches, for just the right one. And with a little help he learned to turn his body to hit towards third base. This gave him a little edge as far as being able to make it to first base in time. By this time, Hunter Bug had stolen everyone's heart. He was determined to be equal as his peers.

Hunter was not a quitter, and everyone knew it. He knew he was different from his friends, as far as his abilities goes. But he knew the game and the rules better than most of the kids he played with. It was hard to fool him. He enjoyed playing and everyone from both side cheered him on. Everyone thought he was a pleasure and loved seeing his spirit come alive on the field.

You would have thought with his disability, that he would bring the team's record down, but it was just the opposite. What ever team he was on, normally held first place at the end of the season. Hunter Bug was one you couldn't count out.

As we moved up in leagues, Hunter Bug's performance increasing improved. He may have one strike out per game, but this was fewer than some of the other players on our team who didn't have any disabilities. He may have been thrown out at first, but at least he

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