09/12/2026
As we prepare for an action packed weekend celebrating our annual Swing 4 Children tournament. We'd like to take a second and celebrate a past beneficiary and share an update.
As some of you who are season veterans of the swing tournament you may remember swing 4 chaz.
Recently he was involved in a give back event and his family shared with us an update:
Chaz Deal, diagnosed with Medulloblastoma at age 4. Went through chemotherapy and radiation. At the end of treatment he came down with an infectious disease. He was sent home with a feeding tube for his medications and feedings. His mother was told to contact hospice.
After he gained weight and strength he was put in school. He really started to thrive! He has many issues due to treatment and surgeries. For instance he is deaf/hard of hearing.
The back of his head will always be bald with a scar from the top of his head to his neck. Plus other issues.
Nothing was keeping this boy down though. He started taekwondo lessons. Now at the age of 12 he is a 2nd degree black belt and 5th in weapons. As the smallest one in his class he played basketball and made so many baskets they won the game. He's participated in wrestling, soccer and runs track.
This young man also is learning to play the guitar and loves to sing and dance. He enjoys driving his gokart and racing. He's a really good driver! His other passion is twirling his play guns and going to watch the Hdngtown Marshall perform gunfighting acts.
He's a go getter. He's very friendly, honest and loves life. He just wants to be normal.
He goes for scans every year and the brain cancer has remained calm. His last scan did show a very mild brain hemorrhage. We are watching him closely but let him be as normal as possible.
He has been an inspiration to other children with cancer and also many adults. He has really come a long way since his diagnosis.
Thanks to all the non profit groups that were there for him. It really helped.
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This brave child's story reminds us that this is not just a softball tournament. Things may not always go the way we planned. Your team may not have played as well as they could have, and we all may not be a champion at the end of the weekend.
Theres no grand trophy, no MLB contracts and you may walk away with nothing but a few stories of being surrounded with friends and a shirt that may end up collecting dust at the back of your closet.
This weekend is more then just a few games and stories under a pop up.
So enjoy yourself, enjoy the comradery, and know that when everything is said and done, one family or maybe even one select child will walk away knowing that theres hope, that people do care, and that we can support one another in unconventional ways while still having a good time.
Thats the heart of the Active 20-30 club.
Chaz may end up coming out and spending some time at an event he was once honored with, he may even end up throwing a ball or two, so if you see him say hi, give him a high 5 and keep the spirit of swing going for years to come.
