Kosair Kids Evie (9 years old) and Jett (15 years old) are living big-league dreams in Arlington, Texas. The duo threw out the first pitch before the UofL Cardinals baseball team played in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series. The event is one of the premier college baseball tournaments. It’s happening this weekend at Globe Life Field, home of the MLB’s Texas Rangers. Thousands of fans cheered heartwarming moments involving the Kosair Kid All-Stars.
Both Evie and Jett play in the Miracle League of Louisville, a Kosair for Kids grant recipient that offers opportunities for children to play America’s Pastime, no matter the hurdles they face.
Evie threw out the first pitch on Friday night ahead of the Cards’ game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Her parents beamed with pride as the little girl with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) threw the ball to Kosair for Kids President Barry Dunn, to a chorus of cheers.
“For her to have an experience like this, a memory she will be able to have forever, to be included in something like this, just means the world for us,” said Brenn Monroe, Kosair Kid Evie’s mom. “Just to have her celebrated for who she is, people who love her for who she is, is really special to have this memory for all of us.”
“I was just trying to enjoy the moment,” said Evie’s dad, Greg Monroe. “Really, just watching her and living through her eyes. So, yeah, it was a lot of fun.“
Coach Dan “Mac” McDonnell and his team showed compassion to the Kosair Kids, showering them with joy and love. Pitcher, Peter Michael, stood alongside Evie during her moment on the field. As she skipped from a successful first pitch, she hugged the Cardinals hurler. It was a moment the player won’t forget, especially since he practiced with the little girl days earlier at UofL’s Jim Patterson Stadium.
“It was cool to just have that full circle moment from last week until now and the relationship I hope to have with her and all of the kids we get to see this week,” Peter Michael said.
Kosair Kid Jett delivered his first pitch before Saturday’s Cards game vs the Michigan Wolverines. Jett also lives with RTS. His 10-year-old brother Tate caught for his big brother. Cardinals’ pitcher TJ Schlageter stood alongside Jett as the Kosair Kid wowed the crowd with a windup before tossing a strike.
The moment filled Jett’s mom with pride. She reflected on her resilient son’s journey to this moment that had proven wrong the doctors who first diagnosed Jett.
“Basically, (they said) that Jett would never walk, that he’d never talk, he would never do anything,” she recalled. “And here he is. Doing it all!”
”We’re so delighted to be here in Dallas with UofL,” said Kosair for Kids President and CEO Barry Dunn. “We’re thankful to Coach Mac and the entire team for taking time out to make these kids feel like they really are something special.”
Generous Kosair for Kids donors made the trip possible. The region’s most comprehensive children’s charity may be best known for delivering assistance to families struggling with overwhelming medical bills and funding groundbreaking medical research, education, and social service efforts like the Face It Movement to end child abuse and neglect. However, providing opportunities for children to feel the power of joy is another important part of the Kosair for Kids mission. Each year, thousands of children participate in other Kosair Kids Experiences, like the annual holiday party, a night at Boo at the Zoo, Princess Tea, and more, that remind them that they are loved, appreciated, and deserve to experience the power of joy.