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Cardinals Hit Home Run With Local Fan

08/02/2001 11:48 AM

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For immediate release:  2 August, 2001
    
Cardinals Hit Home Run With Local Fan

  
ORLEANS -- For over a century, Cape Cod Baseball League players have captured fans' hearts with the sharp crack of their bats and the sizzling speed of their fastballs.


Orleans Cardinals players share a special moment with one of their favorite fans, Alex Pisarchuk, age 3 1/2. Pictured with Alex on July 14 at Eldredge Park are (kneeling, from left) Tyler Davidson, Andy Phillips, Andy Hutchings; (Standing, from left) Derek Norman, Jake Wald, Chad Bendinelli, Asst. Coach Steve DeBlasi, Asst. Coach Brock Van Faussein, Matt Incinelli and Steve Guthrie.
Photo by Andrea J. Rourke, Orleans Cardinals

 

     Early last month, though, the entire Orleans Cardinals Baseball Club captured one more heart with something not out of the ordinary for Cape Leaguers to do, but something seldom seen by those who come to watch the games: they treated a local boy who suffers from a rare, degenerative disease to some special moments on the playing field.

     Taking time out prior to their scheduled July 16 game at Eldredge Park versus the Y-D Red Sox, the Cardinals players and coaches wheeled out 31/2-year-old Alex Pisarchuk to enjoy a special visit and view close-up what it's like to be amidst greatness. It was a gesture in humility that truly defines what everyone hopes a star ballplayer will be like, but so often fail to see.

     Suffering from Type II SMA - Spinal Muscular Atrophy - Alex had voiced to his parents how much he wanted to attend a Cardinals' home game. He had first attended the July 14 game slated between the Bourne Braves and the Cardinals but was briefly let down when the rains came and the game was postponed. Two days later, the Cardinals' players and coaches made Alex's dream come true and brought him out onto the Eldredge Park diamond.

     The entire affair was coordinated by Jennifer Smith Marvin, an Orleans Cardinals' houseparent who had overheard Alex's voiced desire to attend a ballgame. Alex is the son of Chris Pisarchuk and Lora Gaspar. Unfortunately, Alex had to be admitted to the hospital on July 29. From the Orleans Cardinals and the entire Cape Cod Baseball League, we wish him well soon.

     Cardinals players and coaches who participated in making Alex's wish come true included: Field Manager Don Norris, Trevor Hutchinson, Brett Lewis, Scott Autrey, Chad Coder, Russ Adams, Jeff Watchko, Derek Norman, Jake Wald, Chad Bendinelli, Asst. Coach Steve DeBlasi, Asst. Coach Brock Van Faussein, Matt Incinelli, Steve Guthrie, Brad Lamm, Troy Caradonna, Jason Baker, Billy Collins, Larry Broadway, Tyler Davidson, Andy Phillips, Andy Hutchings, Joe Peer and L.J. DeMaino.

 

     Donations to aid in the care of Alex may be made to the Alexander Transportation Fund
 C/O Citizens Bank, Post Office Square, Orleans, MA 02653.