Robertsdale HS Grad Warms Hearts In Home Run For Life

Caleb Castle rounded first base during his special moment, the crowd already clapping Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium, when the cheers grew louder.
He slid into second, quickly rose and finished running the bases.
Castle, 18, who graduated with honors May 13 from Robertsdale (Ala.) High School, put his own unique element into the Pensacola Blue Wahoos "Home Run For Life" experience.
Two months earlier, he had a life-changing moment.
In mid-March, Castle was playing in a match for the Robertsdale HS boys tennis team when suddenly overcome with dizziness and nausea.
It forced him to forfeit the game. When his condition worsened to include slurred speech and weakness in his left arm and leg, his parents rushed him to an emergency room at a nearby hospital. Without a neurologist on call that afternoon, Castle was transported to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Pensacola's Sacred Heart Hospital.
Neurologist Terry Neill began immediate treatment to minimize effect of a stroke Castle had just suffered. The medical care was vital in enabling Castle, who was vice president of his school's National Honor Society, to finish out his senior year and all the memorable qualities that time in life brings.
A week after the treatment, Castle attended his senior prom. He will soon begin his college future at the University of Alabama, where he will major in finance and business administration.
Castle's story was honored Saturday by the Blue Wahoos in their partnership with Sacred Heart and the Home Run For Life Moment.
His parents, Ronald and Ginger, stood proudly watching as their son circled the bases. So did his twin sister, Katie, and his two brothers John Aaron and Mathew, along with sister-in-law Mary.
The experienced occurred after the fifth inning Saturday. The players and coaches from the Mobile BayBears and Blue Wahoos lined each baseline. It was the second time the BayBears have been the visiting team for a Home Run For Life moment and several players said how special it was to see the first time and were happy to be part of another one.
Earlier Saturday in a different realm, four Blue Wahoos players were part of a free youth baseball clinic at Naval Air Station Whiting Field for military kids.
It's all part of the Blue Wahoos mission statement to improve the quality of life in the community and the franchise vision to make the community the greatest place to live.