Yankees Bring Special Needs Children To Stadium

NEW YORK (AP) His oxygen tank behind him, 16-year-old Daniel Fratto settled into his seat high above home plate, slipped on the headphones and calmly spoke into the microphone.

"Now batting for the Yankees, No. 2, shortstop Derek Jeter, No. 2."

And with that, Fratto became one of the few people to announce Jeter at Yankee Stadium.

Fratto came to the ballpark Thursday as part of Hope Week, a five-day charity event organized by the team that celebrates those who help others. The high school junior is part of Beautiful People, a group that enables special needs children to play sports.

Fratto has immune deficiency syndrome and travels with his portable 10-pound tank. Though he cannot be physically active, he does his part: Fratto announces the games.

The matchup between the Yankees and Detroit Tigers gave him the chance to take his talent professionally, if only for half an inning.

Fratto was unshakable. Asked if he was nervous about announcing in front of 48,000 people, he said no.

"If I mess up, I mess up," he said. "What're you going to do? The difference is that I mess up at Yankee Stadium, and I'll remember it for the rest of my life."

Fratto did just fine.

On the way back to the group's suite, Fratto and his family ran into Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. Even "Mr. October" wanted Fratto to announce him.

Seeing Jackson wasn't Fratto's only surprise. He and the other children knew they were going to a Yankees game, that's all. So when star first baseman Mark Teixeira walked into the suite an hour before the first pitch and said they would play their own game with some of the Yankees, they were shocked.

Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain were some of the notable players who joined the Beautiful People on the field after the Yankees' 11-5 win.

The Beautiful People gave high-fives to the players after their victory and manager Joe Girardi told Fratto, "You got a future, young man."

Girardi came out with his family to watch the Beautiful People kids. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who did not play in the win because of calf injury, was in attendance, too, with his own two daughters.

Rodriguez said seeing the Beautiful People made him feel grateful for the health of his own children.

"I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be," he said. "It definitely makes you feel good to give back and bring some light to these children."

Yankees public-address announcer Paul Olden and Fratto announced the kids' game together, sitting on folding chairs.

"It makes me want to say maybe I can do more," Olden said. "Maybe I should try to volunteer and do something that helps kids."

About six months ago, Fratto and father, Mike Sr., read about Beautiful People in a newspaper article and called the organization to offer their help. There are about 60 kids who play baseball with the group and about the same number of able-bodied volunteers. It was founded in 2006 by Peter Ladka and is based in Orange County in upstate New York.

The Frattos hardly imagined where it would lead to for Daniel. His surprise? He got the chance to announce the Yankees in the bottom of the fourth.

Fratto joined Olden in the announcer's booth and, after some instruction, went to work.

Fratto initially was told he would not announce his favorite player - Jeter uses a recording by the late, famed public-address man Bob Sheppard. A few moments later, however, Fratto called out the introduction for the Yankees captain.

When Fratto came down to the field after the game, some fans shouted, "Hey, nice job!" One woman stopped and asked for a hug. Others told him he has a future in broadcasting.

When asked if he would consider that for a career, he said, "I just like to talk."

This is the second annual Hope Week, an event filled with touching stories. Earlier, a blind woman who's a lifelong Yankees fan was on the field with her guide dog to greet players after a win.

Girardi said Hope Week is about getting perspective while giving hope to people.

"The one thing I have learned is that encouragement is so important to help people overcome," he said.

Fratto has done quite well already. He has been class president every year since the eighth grade, makes the honor roll and is looking at art schools after graduation.

His mother, Danielle, described her son as a joker.

"He's very funny and very real," she said. "He's incredibly wise for his age."

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