Some of you will recall Marvin Hudson's BLUE Reach visit to Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Children's Center in April (see article). Among the patients in the Medical-Surgical School Age Unit that day were Nathan Leap and Jimmy Geleta. Marvin returned to Baltimore this week to work the series between the Mariners and Orioles. He invited the boys and their families out to Baltimore's Camden Yards to see the Orioles take on the Seattle Mariners.

Pictured on the left are Nathan Leap, his sister Tori, and mother Jennifer (father Devon played the role of photographer for the shot). The Leap family joined Marvin for the Monday night game - it was the first professional baseball game Nathan has ever seen.

Oriole's southpaw Adam Loewen was dominant in the early going, when he gave up just one hit in the first five innings. The Orioles shot out to a 3-0 lead only to run into trouble in the 6th inning when the Mariners scored three to tie the game. Nine more runs were scored over the last three innings but unfortunately the Mariners scored most of them. The final...10-5 in favor of the Mariners.

On Wednesday, the Geleta family joined Marvin out at Camden Yards. Pictured on the right (from L-R) are Umpire Bob Davidson, Michael Leap, Jimmy Leap, Patrick Leap, and Umpire Marvin Hudson.

Nathan's parents, Michael and Lynn, wrote the following in an e-mail shortly after the game.

"Marvin, Thanks for a great day! The kids loved the great big bag of candy and official Major League baseballs autographed by the umpire crew. Jimmy has recovered from his ruptured spleen. BLUE for Kids really helped with the mental recovery and has helped put the memory of his accident in the past.

Our experience with BLUE for Kids is an example of how good things sometimes come following a bad experience. I also snagged a foul ball during the game! Lynn thinks that this day will be recalled as one of our very best family memories. Thanks again Marvin for both the visit at the hospital and special day at Camden Yards."

The Geleta's experience was positive with exception of another Orioles loss. This time 2-1 in the sweltering heat. 102 degrees on Wednesday in Baltimore...Ouch!

Click for pictures for all ticket recipients.

BLUE for Kids would like to thank parents Devon & Jennifer Leap and Micheal & Lynn Geleta for getting the boys out to the ballpark. We also wish to express our appreciation to Johns Hopkins Children's Center for allowing us to visit in April.