Quincy Cal Ripken Team Forced To Remove Breast Cancer Ribbons
QUINCY (CBS) – While Quincy was pulling off a huge upset in the Cal Ripken Championships, they were also honoring a player's mom who is battling breast cancer.
Patty Frazier was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago, and her son's team wanted to pay tribute to her.
Since her diagnosis, Frazier has undergone two surgeries and will undergo another this October.
The plan was for each boy to wear a pink ribbon as a tribute to her.
"It was so emotional, so proud of every one of them," said Frazier. "They are my second family and I can't describe how this feels."
But during the semifinal game, the boys were asked to remove the ribbons because they were considered jewelry and not apart of the team's official uniforms.
Once it was announced that the ribbons had to be removed, the team ran down the third base line and each player handed their ribbon to Patty who was in the crowd.
The Quincy team was playing a team from Cranston, Rhode Island.
"I suggested that the pitcher not have the ribbon on his throwing arm because it was a distraction. Not for the entire team to remove the ribbons, but if they used that as motivation to win the game, good for them," said Andy Spirito, Cranston Head Coach.
The team stuck together and stayed positive and along with their win, they offered Patty a very special and memorable tribute.