Kosair Kids Rory and Eli returned home after three amazing days in Arlington, Texas, where the duo threw out the first pitch before the UofL Cardinals baseball team played in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown tournament. The premier college baseball tournament was held at Globe Life Field, home of the MLB’s Texas Rangers, where spectators witnessed two heartwarming moments involving the Kosair Kid All-Stars.
Coach Dan “Mac” McDonnell and his team showed compassion to the Kosair Kids, showering them with joy and love. Coach Mac’s moment with Kosair Kid Rory melted hearts on social media as the Cards manager knelt to embrace the ten-year-old, who is a bilateral leg amputee and lives with spina bifida.
Rory’s twin brother Declan caught the ball in a moment their parents will never forget.
“It was amazing,” exclaimed Rory’s mom, Megan McGrath. “She did a great job. She tried really hard, and she got it there.”
“It was a little nervous,” explained Rory’s dad, Craig McGrath. “You didn’t know where she was going to throw the pitch, but she did a great job…threw it down the middle. And with Declan catching it, I didn’t want her throwing it too crazy for him, but he was able to catch it. Just watching them be able to throw the ball together.”
Kosair Kid Eli was a bit nervous to run onto the field before the Cards took on Oklahoma State. But UofL senior infielder Kamau Neighbors ran onto the field with the 14-year-old Kosair Kid All-Star, coaching Eli into position. The touching moment demonstrated the power of friendship.
Eli lives with Down syndrome and Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. He plays multiple sports with Special Olympics and loves to compete. The crowd erupted as he delivered his first pitch.
“I’m trying to hold back tears,” said his mom, Sandy Taylor. “You just don’t imagine when you get a diagnosis at birth that things are going to happen, and this has just been wonderful.”
“This whole experience has been awesome,” Eli’s dad, Robert, explained. “To see him throw out the first pitch of the game was like one of the best experiences ever.”
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, 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.