Anthony Halle to Make Dreams Come True with Navigators
Published on April 28, 2013 under Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
North Shore Navigators News Release
Lynn, Massachusetts -- Each time the North Shore Navigators take the field, they are accompanied by the Hall and Oates' classic "You Make My Dreams Come True." This season that song might have significant meaning for those who visit Fraser Field.
In a press conference last evening, Navigators General Manager Bill Terlecky and Head Coach Jon Cahill introduced 16-year-old Anthony Halle as the newest member of the Navigators. Halle, a native of Salem, joins the Navigators through an organization called Team IMPACT. Team IMPACT's mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by establishing and expanding vibrant team-based support networks.
Anthony's story starts in June of 2011 when he was diagnosed with Astrocytoma, a cancer of the brain. After surgery to remove most of the softball-sized tumor in his brain, Anthony woke up paralyzed for two weeks on his left side. Through a lot of hard work in physical and occupational therapy, he is now able to walk but his left arm and hand remain slightly paralyzed. He now has occupational therapy once a week but his insurance is no longer paying for physical therapy.
"Anthony has had his hopeful baseball ambitions clutched away from him so if he can have an opportunity to be part of our team in any way," said Navigators General Manager Bill Terlecky, "if he can recapture a little bit of what he's lost, then it's the least we can do."
Halle is the oldest of four children and currently attends school at Salem High School. While his favorite team is the Red Sox, he also considers himself a fan of Alex Rodriguez. Halle's dream is to one day become a baseball coach.
"As far as I am concerned," said Coach Cahill, "Anthony is part of our team. The players will look up to him just as much as he looks up to them. He will be invited with the team to practices as well as away games. If he wants to help with the strategic aspect of the game, then he can count on me asking for his opinion."
The support that Cahill and Terlecky expressed was echoed by two Navigators players who showed their support in different ways. Lynn Classical's Kyle Devin took time out of his schedule a couple weeks ago to come down to Fraser Field to meet both Anthony and his family. Additionally, Justin Peluso, a St. John's Prep alumni, sent Halle a hand-written letter and a game hat from Wheaton College, where he currently attends.
"I have two little brothers and I put myself in that situation if my little brothers had to go through that," said Devin. "I mean his story is incredible. To be standing here today after going through all of that is a feat within itself."
"I am pretty excited about this," said Halle. "I want to get the feeling that I am on a baseball team again and hang out with everyone." Well Anthony's dream has come true. Anthony is now a Navigator. He is part of the faithful Navigator Nation and will look to bring home a championship to the city of Lynn.
The Navigators home opener is Saturday, June 8th at 7:00 PM. Season tickets and party deck reservations are available now by calling the Navs at (781) 595-9400. For details and schedule information "like" us on Facebookand follow us on Twitter .
Futures Collegiate Baseball League Stories from April 28, 2013
- Anthony Halle to Make Dreams Come True with Navigators - North Shore Navigators
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