Despite rain, fundraising derby is a homer

A rain delay couldn’t stop the Home Run Derby at Union Hill’s ballpark on Saturday, June 17. While the evening featured a lineup of sluggers from Dakota-Rice- Scott League baseball teams, the MVPs of the derby were Soren Swartout and his parents Emmett and Ann (Washa) Swartout of Prior Lake.

The derby was to raise funds to help the family with medical expenses for 13- month old Soren. He was born with a congenital heart defect known as Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome, meaning he is functioning with half a heart.

“It’s been a roller coaster adventure,” said Emmett. “Everyone’s support has made it doable.” “It’s pretty heart warming that all these people would come out on a Saturday night and have fun,” said Emmett. “It’s incredible that the baseball players and their sponsors are coming together to support our little guy.”

It was estimated that early in the evening 150 people were attending the derby. When rain hit after the event started, a tarp was pulled over home plate and most people huddled under the fan area, in the dugouts or under umbrellas. Among those who came prepared with umbrellas was April Iverson of Montgomery with her sons Theo and Rowan. Keeping the grill going were Mike Swartout, Emmett’s dad, and Shawn Farrell, who held an extra large umbrella over the grill.

“We knew we would do it no matter what the weather,” said Emmett. “I didn’t want to even look.....

To see more on this story pick up the June 22, 2017 print edition of The New Prague Times. 

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