Watch out, hitters in Pennsylvania's East End Youth Baseball League, that is not just the Caporuscios' Elliot Mast on the mound this year, but every kid at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
The same warning for pitchers in the league, Elliot Mast of Altoona, has a legion of supporters pulling for every hit and homer he generates this season.
That is because 11-year-old Elliot Mast is playing this baseball season not for himself, but for others. He has dedicated this season to the kids at Children's Hospital. He is hoping to generate $200 for the hospital by his Opening Day, April 24; and $1,000 for the hospital by season's end. He is already well on his way, having raised about $100 thus far just a few weeks into his one-kid campaign.
Elliot, who was born with a club foot and went through surgeries and procedures at Children's to fix the problem, came up with the idea of helping the care facility a few weeks ago while fishing with his dad.
"We were talking about baseball when I came up with the idea," Elliot told the Examiner in his first interview about the fund-raising effort.
The father-son chat hit home with Elliot, according to his dad, Don.
"We were talking about baseball and Curtis Granderson and the work he does with his Grand Kids organization (a foundation Granderson established in 2008 to focus on improving opportunities in education and youth baseball for inner-city youth)," Don Mast said. "And Elliot asked 'Could a little kid do something like that?'"
With the seed planted, Elliot got to work.
"It's great to have an individual, especially someone's Elliot's age, come forward and help the children," said Shannon Anglero, associate director of special events for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. 'It is unique in that Elliot is young and doing this."
Elliot, who plays on two travel teams, logs between 60 and 70 games in a typical spring and summer. And last season, without added inspiration, Elliot was dominant both on the mound and at the plate. The right-hander recorded 105 strikeouts in 58 innings of work on the hill. At the plate, the left-handed hitter batted .475, with 50 runs batted in and two homers. He also captured the East End Youth Baseball 2009 Homerun Derby, clubbing 14 long balls in the contest.
Word about Elliot's effort is starting to get around. The National Women's Fastpitch Softball Association and the authors of "A Glove of Their Own" have already contacted Elliot about his effort. His YouTube video on the fund-raising campaign, created just two weeks ago already has gotten more than 150 hits.
Along with seeking contributions, Ellliot is also lobbying for craft projects and supplies for the kids. Individuals are asked to send a sample of the craft to the hospital first to ensure that it meets safety standards.
"Kids have lots of fun doing crafts in doctor-free zones," Elliot said. "Anyone looking to be involved with the program should send a sample of the craft to make sure it is safe for the kids to do."
Send craft samples to:
Ms. Shannon M. Anglero'
Associate Director, Special Events
Elliot's Craft Campaign For Child Life
Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh Foundation, Floor 5
1251 Waterfront Place
Pittsburgh, PA 1522
Don Mast remembers seeing Elliot being born with his left foot totally turned around.
"Before my wife even saw him, I asked the doctor, 'You can fix that, right?'"
While Elliot is able to compete at a high level, there are reminders of what he has been through. His left calf is skinny and always will be, and his left foot is wider and a half-size smaller than the right. He has a scar around the back of his left foot from the arch to the heal and around to the other side.
But Elliot has not just survived; he's thrived, being a snowboarder, baseball player, and regular 11-year-old kid.
Elliot is seeking $5 and $10 donations from people, knowing that the economic downturn has hit many people hard.
Individuals can send contributions (with checks payable to "Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation" preferred) to:
Elliot Mast
1230 22nd Ave.
Altoona, PA 16601
"I am very thankful he is doing this," his dad, Don, said. "The idea came out of left field, literally. He got his mind focused on doing this and it happened. I don't want to stop him."
Children's Hospital's Anglero said it is great Elliot has taken up the cause. She said keeping the fun in fund-raising is very important. Anglero said Elliot's love of baseball and decision to help other kids makes his fundraising effort a good fit.
"The lessons he learns from this will remain with him," Anglero said. "This effort will continue to be with him the rest of his life.
Elliot will soon be going door to door in his neighborhood raising money for the hospital.
"I would like to see other kids pitch in for hospitalized kids," Elliot said. "I would like to inspire other kids to help."
Elliot, you are an inspiration already. And not just to kids, but to all of us.
Comments
Mr. Beese, Thank You! You made my wife cry... :) Elliot is thankful! We appreciate your help!
Don & Elliot Mast
www.elliotmast.blogspot.com
What a great idea and cause.
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