Seattle U baseball 'adopts' young boy with tumor

The players of the Seattle University baseball team welcomed newcomer Adrian Smith last October. The catch? He's only 3 years old.

Head coach Donny Harrel and the team "adopted" Adrian, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor almost two years ago, through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The Jaclyn Foundation seeks to build lasting relationships between children diagnosed with brain tumors and athletic teams.

Adrian first met the team at an outside practice last fall.

"I remember that whole practice," said Ryan Somers, freshman third-baseman and outfielder. "It was the worst practice we've had just because everybody was so excited to meet this little kid."

So excited, in fact, that players now jump at any opportunity to spend time with Adrian. From basketball games to parent potlucks, players are always there. Some players even went to visit Adrian in the hospital.

"We all had no idea what to expect. We had never been in a situation like that," said outfielder junior Mike Malland. "You see kids running in that are sick, and you couldn't tell."

With Adrian, who doesn't know he has a brain tumor, players say you can't tell at all. "After 10 minutes, five minutes, you forget," Malland said. They don't see Adrian as someone who is sick; rather, he is a little brother.

Marie Smith, Adrian's mother, said although Adrian's tumor has remained stable, he is living with an uncertain future and just wants to see his "buddies." Smith says she and her husband try to pack in Adrian's life and make it as fun and exciting as possible, and the Seattle U baseball team has helped to make that happen.

"Adrian was an only child at the beginning of the year. He just got 30 more brothers," Somers said. "He's just a regular kid hanging out with the rest of us kids."

Harrel said his players seem to have greater appreciation for life and people that are in a tough situation since adopting Adrian. Even the game of baseball has a new perspective.

"It just makes us even better at baseball because sometimes we get frustrated with ourselves, and we don't realize the important things in life," said sophomore pitcher Blaine Jones. "After hanging out with him, it opens up your eyes to something else. It makes you better on the field. It makes you appreciate the game and life better."

Smith wants everyone to be aware of what children with pediatric brain tumors have to go through. She believes it is simple to improve the lives of Adrian and other children through friendship, love and respect.

Harrel said Adrian is a perfect kid for baseball guys to be around because when he is with the team, he's a clown among bigger clowns. Harrel hopes Adrian will be involved with Seattle U for life.

"This is a lifelong adoption. He'll obviously stay in the lives of a lot of our kids after they graduate from Seattle University and hopefully he stays a part of our program forever," Harrel said.

A Friends of Jaclyn fundraiser in Adrian's name will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at the North Gym of Connolly Center. Tickets will be $2 for students and $3 for adults. For tickets, please call the baseball office at 206-398-4399, or buy them at the door Jan. 30. Events include a flex-off. All proceeds go to the Jaclyn Foundation.

To read Adrian's story and write him a message, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/hopeforadrian.

Kate may be reached at kganiron@su-spectator.com.