Oscar Is On Our Mind

The first email came in from Mike Belcher, Hoover Tyler - Vice President.  One of our own was on the cover of the Stockton Record.  The second email came in from Kathy Peers, our Player Agent.  Kathy was writing how sad it was and about how they know Oscar from the Ambler's swim team.  Her last sentence exclaimed what a brave little boy he was.  I was almost afraid to go look at the Stockton Record website that Mike had linked on his email. 
   But I did.  I immediately recognized the face, but not the name.  I remember noticing his swollen face as he ran around the Little League fields, but I never gave a second thought as to why that was, just that he was a kid having a great time. 
   The headline rings out ILLNESS UNKNOWN.  The story is about how the parents are grasping for answers regarding a condition that the doctors are puzzled with.  Oscar remains undiagnosed, but his symptoms are severe.  Half of his body twitches and the other half is stiff.  As described in the article, his muscles contracted like drying cement, his left hand curls back to the wrist and his foot extends like that of a ballet dancer on pointe.  If you haven't read the story yet, please do so now by clicking here.
   Eric Ambriz coached Oscar last year.  Eric is our equipment manager this coming year and is a long time manager, coach and board member.  Eric told me that Oscar is a great kid and that he felt real bad for him.  He related that his son Nico and Oscar had hung out during the summer.  It seemed difficult for Eric to talk about it and at one point he paused when describing what Oscar had gone through last year.  Eric said that at the beginning of the season he noticed the twitching.  As the season progressed it got worse.  All of the team's parents knew of his condition and the fact that no one knew what it was.  Oscar was the team's "pitcher" most of the time, and liked to be there at the mound even though it is a machine-pitch league.  Eric talked about the time Oscar took a "shot" and how he rebounded and hung in there.  Oscar did finish the entire season last year.  He loves baseball, according to Eric.  He even lives right near the Little League.  His father, John, also helped coach the team.  John also managed his other son's Tee ball team.
   One of our own is hurting.  There are two things that we can do for this family, who are a part of our family.  Pray for Oscar and support the parents.  As the Record article indicates, both John and Oscar's mother, Tenneill, have taken leave from their jobs to care for Oscar.
   Please send letters of support and Get-well cards to John Oscar Ramirez Jr., 3359 W. Euclid Ave., Stockton, CA 95204.  I am also sure that any financial support that you can offer the family will go a long way.  Let them know that their Hoover Tyler Little League family is thinking of them.  Oscar, hang in there.  We want to see you, again, on the mound, throwing out the first pitch on opening day.