Boy, 9, overcomes autism to play ball, win essay contest

After their son Brandon was diagnosed with autism, Kelvin Mark and Cheryl Lieu worried he would never lead a normal life.

The two physicians, who live in the Sierra Oaks neighborhood, said they were concerned he might never be able to dress himself, feed himself or speak in coherent sentences. They wondered if he would develop the normal mechanisms of fear and avoidance that would prevent him from walking into traffic.

With Brandon's hypersensitivity to sunlight, dirt and loud voices, the normal childhood pastime of playing Little League baseball seemed far out of reach.

So when Brandon, 9, got his first solid hit and rounded the bases to score, Kelvin Mark said it brought tears to his eyes.

On Wednesday, Brandon's parents were equally proud as $5,000 was bestowed on their team's River Park baseball diamond in recognition of Brandon's prize-winning essay on how baseball had helped him overcome his challenges.

"I have something called autism," Brandon wrote. "I don't really know what it is.

"When I first started playing, I couldn't touch wet or muddy things or step in puddles or listen to loud noises or I would freak out," he wrote. "I didn't like being in the hot sun and I only liked wearing long sleeve shirts. I was kind of shy and I was afraid of the ball.

"These things don't bother me now," he wrote.

"I learned how to hit, run and score. I learned how to catch a ball and tag the runner out. I like leading our team cheer. I like sliding and LOVE touching home plate."

Brandon's essay won the regional contest sponsored by small-engine maker Briggs & Stratton, which asks children to tell their stories of how baseball helped them build confidence on and off the field.

One of this year's nationwide winners had a dangerous blood clot in his brain. Another had to deal with bullying at school. The grand-prize winner had a broken arm but still attended every game and managed to sock a one-handed triple.

In five years, the Diamonds in the Rough program has given $400,000 to leagues throughout the United States, according to a company representative.

Brandon's $5,000 will go toward a new irrigation system and maintenance at Ciavarella Field, said Tom Griffin, president of River Park Youth Baseball. With 125 games on the field since opening day this spring, "it takes a beating," he said.

On the field – surrounded by his teammates and family, including his 12-year-old sister, Lyndsie – Brandon read his essay into a microphone.

Then he marched off to batting practice with his father, who is also the coach of Brandon's team, the Angels.

Brandon, with his fondness for repetition, has proved to be an unusually consistent player. Each time at bat he manages to get a hit, his parents said.

With his teammates, there is the normal give and take, his father said.

Recently Brandon took to the pitcher's mound and caught his first line drive, a major achievement for a boy who used to shy away from the ball.

"Now he sees a pop fly and he runs for it," Kelvin Mark said.

Learning her child was autistic, Cheryl Lieu said, she was scared and anxious.

"Your expectations of what your children can achieve get thrown for a loop," she said.

But adjusting to the situation, Lieu said, she learned to value every step forward.

"You appreciate the small things," she said.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Hudson Sangree, (916) 321-1191.