PawSox Pitcher Marcus Walden Helps 9-Year-Old from Pawtucket Overcome his Fears
It was just last year when 9-year-old Gary Valentine from Pawtucket was contemplating quitting the game he loves after being struck in the back on three separate occasions during his Little League season while batting at the plate. Unsure if he wanted to get back out on the field this
It was just last year when 9-year-old Gary Valentine from Pawtucket was contemplating quitting the game he loves after being struck in the back on three separate occasions during his Little League season while batting at the plate.
Unsure if he wanted to get back out on the field this season, his mother Rachel thought that the "PawSox Lunch Box" program would be a great way for Gary to regain his confidence. The PawSox received Gary's submission and invited him to McCoy Stadium for a VIP tour of the facility, and a private lunch in the owner's suite looking out on the field.
Making a surprise visit during Gary's lunch was PawSox PitcherMarcus Walden , who provided Gary with some powerful words of encouragement and reminded him that there are always going to be bumps in the road in the career of any baseball player.
"I just told Gary to stay positive," said Walden. "I told him to take a look at a guy likeBrian Johnson who ended up pitching a shutout for the Red Sox that day. Brian has been hit in the head on three separate occasions, and has always shown the ability to persevere."
After providing Gary with the encouragement that he needed, Walden and the PawSox invited Gary to stick around for their Free Youth Clinic on the field that afternoon, where he was able to interact more with PawSox players and gain valuable instruction.
"He was so excited to get back out on the field again," said Rachel Valentine, Gary's mother. "Gary is already talking about using some of the things he learned at the clinic in his next little league game. We can't thank the PawSox enough."
"When we created the PawSox Lunch Box program, we thought it would be a nice way to foster player-fan interaction, particularly with children," said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. "We had no idea that these interactions would prove so inspiring and so meaningful. It is a joy to see."
Fans who would like to learn more about the PawSox Lunch Box Program can visit http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20161019&content_id=206583642&fext=.jsp&sid=t533&vkey=
Unsure if he wanted to get back out on the field this season, his mother Rachel thought that the "PawSox Lunch Box" program would be a great way for Gary to regain his confidence. The PawSox received Gary's submission and invited him to McCoy Stadium for a VIP tour of the facility, and a private lunch in the owner's suite looking out on the field.
Making a surprise visit during Gary's lunch was PawSox Pitcher
"I just told Gary to stay positive," said Walden. "I told him to take a look at a guy like
After providing Gary with the encouragement that he needed, Walden and the PawSox invited Gary to stick around for their Free Youth Clinic on the field that afternoon, where he was able to interact more with PawSox players and gain valuable instruction.
"He was so excited to get back out on the field again," said Rachel Valentine, Gary's mother. "Gary is already talking about using some of the things he learned at the clinic in his next little league game. We can't thank the PawSox enough."
"When we created the PawSox Lunch Box program, we thought it would be a nice way to foster player-fan interaction, particularly with children," said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. "We had no idea that these interactions would prove so inspiring and so meaningful. It is a joy to see."
Fans who would like to learn more about the PawSox Lunch Box Program can visit http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20161019&content_id=206583642&fext=.jsp&sid=t533&vkey=