Man gets last wish to see grandson play college baseball

FAIRBORN, Ohio — Robin Elam, who doctors say has little time left because of Lou Gehrig's disease, had a simple wish: To see his grandson play college baseball.

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A lot of people conspired to make that wish come true -- no genie needed.

Friday, from his wheeled hospital transport gurney, Elam, sporting a gray T-shirt featuring the Clark State Eagles logo across his chest, got to see Hunter take the field and play in a scrimmage in Fairborn.

The regular season begins in February. Elam's illness won't allow him to wait until then.

The co-conspirators were the Springfield-based community college, Elam's family and his hospice provider, Vitas Healthcare in Moraine.

"His (Hunter's) father got killed in a motorcycle accident in the first of April and he can't be here," Elam's sister, Vickie Pettit, told News Center 7's Monica Castro on Friday. "Robin has tried to help him since his father has been gone."

Elam, diagnosed in July, last saw his grandson play a year ago. Grandpa wasn't saying much on this day, choosing instead to savor the sight of his grandson on the diamond.

Clark State head baseball coach Chase Brown said Hunter made some great defensive plays, walked twice and scored a run.

“He is a great kid. It is definitely apparent that his family has played a huge part in his success,” Brown said.

Elam is hoping Hunter can better his grandpa's footsteps and not only win a tryout for a pro team, as Elam did once with the Cincinnati Reds, but walk a littler farther and actually make a pro ball club.

Cox Media Group