Sports Video - Surprise Batter
WHAT A MOMENT! At today’s Quad County Tournament in Neligh, Nebraska, Landyn Keiser - who was severely injured in an ATV accident last year - was surprised by his Hartington coaches and team and told to he was going up to bat. With his teammates cheering, Landyn walked up to the batters box and was honored for being at every practice and every game even though he’s unable to play. Keep watching the video as O’Neill’s coach brings him back out to the field for an emotional hug. This is baseball. Best wishes in your recovery, Landyn!
Some Things Are Just Bigger Than Baseball
As the O’Neill Pony team prepared to bat Sunday morning at the Quad County Tournament in Neligh, I asked their coach, Ryan Parks, to let his players know I planned to stand on the infield to take photos of Landyn Keiser.
I overheard what was about to happen, so I had a couple of minutes to prepare. But Landyn didn’t know his coach was going to call him up as the lead-off batter for Hartington.
The victim of a severe ATV accident last year, Landyn is lucky to be alive, much less limping beside his teammates. But don’t tell Landyn that. He doesn’t miss a practice or a game. He helps his teammates warm up, and they all consider him a part of a the team.
Landyn was pinned under the ATV for an hour. He’s had infections, skin grafts and more. His road to recovery isn’t over yet. It will be a lifelong journey.
Hartington still considers Landyn part of their team. That’s why when his coach told him to put on his helmet and warm up to bat, Landyn did just that. Then he turned around and walked back into the dugout because he knew he can’t play. He can’t bat. Landyn has a broken thumb and still struggles from his earlier injuries.
As he turned around toward the dugout, his teammates started cheering him on and telling him he was a “guaranteed homer,” urging him to the batter’s box.With a confused look on his face and happiness in his eyes, Landyn walked up to the plate.
“If he gets hit, we’re charging the mound,” a teammate yelled — because they have Landyn’s back.
O’Neill never even threw a pitch — they just clapped for Landyn — who walked back to the dugout with a little less limp and an even bigger smile.
That’s when the O’Neill coach yelled for Landyn to come back onto the field. Ryan shook Landyn’s hand and gave him a hug.
They were strangers. An opposing coach and a player on the other team who had never met before. But they hugged like friends.
As I talked to Ryan before the game started, he said Hartington’s coaches asked if he minded that they bring Landyn out to the plate and honor him before their first at bat.
“How could I mind that?” Ryan said to me. “If anyone does, then they’re in this for the wrong reasons.”
From the moment Landyn was told to put on his helmet to when he walked back into the dugout took less than 3 minutes. But he will remember it for the rest of his life —as will his teammates, family and coaches.
So will I.
Some things are bigger than baseball.
I overheard what was about to happen, so I had a couple of minutes to prepare. But Landyn didn’t know his coach was going to call him up as the lead-off batter for Hartington.
The victim of a severe ATV accident last year, Landyn is lucky to be alive, much less limping beside his teammates. But don’t tell Landyn that. He doesn’t miss a practice or a game. He helps his teammates warm up, and they all consider him a part of a the team.
Landyn was pinned under the ATV for an hour. He’s had infections, skin grafts and more. His road to recovery isn’t over yet. It will be a lifelong journey.
Hartington still considers Landyn part of their team. That’s why when his coach told him to put on his helmet and warm up to bat, Landyn did just that. Then he turned around and walked back into the dugout because he knew he can’t play. He can’t bat. Landyn has a broken thumb and still struggles from his earlier injuries.
As he turned around toward the dugout, his teammates started cheering him on and telling him he was a “guaranteed homer,” urging him to the batter’s box.With a confused look on his face and happiness in his eyes, Landyn walked up to the plate.
“If he gets hit, we’re charging the mound,” a teammate yelled — because they have Landyn’s back.
O’Neill never even threw a pitch — they just clapped for Landyn — who walked back to the dugout with a little less limp and an even bigger smile.
That’s when the O’Neill coach yelled for Landyn to come back onto the field. Ryan shook Landyn’s hand and gave him a hug.
They were strangers. An opposing coach and a player on the other team who had never met before. But they hugged like friends.
As I talked to Ryan before the game started, he said Hartington’s coaches asked if he minded that they bring Landyn out to the plate and honor him before their first at bat.
“How could I mind that?” Ryan said to me. “If anyone does, then they’re in this for the wrong reasons.”
From the moment Landyn was told to put on his helmet to when he walked back into the dugout took less than 3 minutes. But he will remember it for the rest of his life —as will his teammates, family and coaches.
So will I.
Some things are bigger than baseball.
