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Mar, 2015

Andrew and Alex Join LTYA Elite Baseball

LTYA Elite Baseball is an organization dedicated to raising well-rounded young men of integrity, compassion and responsibility on and off the baseball field. Our coaches and directors constantly strive to set high standards and to model the character we want exemplified by our players. Subsequently, LTYA Elite Baseball is an active participant in the community, offering our boys some amazing life lessons by the ability to give back. This year, we were blessed to meet two vibrant, sweet-spirited young men adorning a larger than life smile.

Alex Hermann, a fourth grader in our community, was stuck by lightning on August 26th 2015 during soccer practice at Lake Travis Youth Association Field of Dreams. Alex sustained severe and permanent damages and lucky to be alive. Alex has gone through many surgeries and has a long road ahead of rehabilitation. Today, Alex is in a wheelchair but has made a lot of progress from August 26th and continues to work hard so that he can walk again. Alex smile and great spirits and true testimony to perseverance and inspiration to all.

Andrew, a fifth grader in our community, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December of 2011. Through the following years, Andrew has received months of chemotherapy, steroids, blood transfusions and spinal fluid testing. All things no one should have to endure, especially a young boy. Andrew has overcome a lot since first being diagnosed, and his courage and strength rage on. He is a true testimony to perseverance and inspiration to all.

Since meeting Andrew and Alex, they have become a member of our LTYA Elite community of players. It is a perfect match... Andrew and Alex loves baseball! Both are an LTYA Elite Cavalier and their name graces our roster. They will attend LTYA Elite field practices and games as their health permits. When our teams travel to local tournaments, Andrew and Alex starts us off by throwing out the first pitch and their cheers can be heard from the dugout. We have arranged for Andrew to join our 12U team as they compete in Cooperstown, NY. With prayer and Andrew's unwavering determination, we are hoping he will be strong enough to participate. Their presence is a blessing to us all. Each practice, each game, each player is positively affected by the generous, gentle spirit of Andrew and Alex. For a short time, they both get to just be a kid and briefly forget about fighting their disease or injuries, but the impression they leave on their fellow teammates is lifelong. Their parents say our boys are lifting their spirits, but we truly believe they are helping our boys and our teams to be stronger. Players from all of our teams (9U to 14U) have shared various moments throughout the season where Andrew and Alex has impacted their character and encouraged them to preserver in all facets of their life. Our coaches have also been positively affected by their presence. LTYA Elite's experience with Andrew and Alex can best be expressed by the eloquent words of Leo Buscaglia. He once said, "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Through compassion, a vested interest in our community, and the power of the human spirit, our organization and players have forged new friendships and made a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.