A 16-year-old named Carson Hawkins, who lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, absolutely laced a baseball into the outfield grass for the first time ever during a game in Stanley. A security camera even captured the incredible hit, which went down a couple of weeks ago. This isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a testament to unbelievable dedication.
Years of Grinding for One Sweet Moment
Carson’s mom, Erin Hawkins, told us her son has faced physical challenges since birth, explaining he went six minutes without oxygen during a rough delivery. That’s what led to his quadriplegic cerebral palsy. But here’s the kicker: he has always loved baseball. Always. Hitting a baseball, let alone into the outfield, took Carson years of practice. He even admitted it felt “terrible” to swing and miss over and over again when he started out. You know what that kind of frustration does to most people? Makes ’em quit. But Carson? He said it “made me love it more.” That’s dedication right there. His personal motto is simple, but powerful: “Don’t give up.”
The Outfield Grass: A New Frontier
His coach in Stanley, Freddie Dow, has been a rockstar, getting Carson onto two youth league teams. And get this, Dow even worked it out with opposing teams so Carson could lead off three times a game, letting him round the bases after every single hit. Coach Dow put it perfectly: “I think all kids deserve their moment. Not some.” Preach, coach, preach! Before this epic hit, Carson’s batted balls usually stayed on the dirt between the infield and outfield. Hitting it into the *grass*? That’s a whole new level. He worked for two years just to hit the ball independently, and six years of non-stop practice finally paid off with this one. Carson himself said, “I didn’t give up on myself. I kept trying.” He also plays piano at church, showing just how much focus this kid has.
What’s next for Carson? You know this kid isn’t done. He’s already set his sights on hitting a ball all the way to the outfield fence in Stanley. That’s a whopping 205 feet away. Mark my words, we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way. This is what sports are all about.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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