Baseball: Duplechain realizes dream at game – Make-A-Wish Comes True at the “Tigue”

Baseball: Duplechain realizes dream at game – Make-A-Wish Comes True at the "Tigue"

Baseball: Duplechain realizes dream at game – Make-A-Wish Comes True at the "Tigue"

Joshua Parrott
jparrott@theadvertiser.com
Daily Advertiser, May 11, 2011

Make-A-Wish recipient Hayden Duplechain, 17, center, watches the game from the dugout between the UL Ragin Cajuns and Rice Owls at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field Tuesday.

An avid baseball fan, 17-year-old Hayden Duplechain realized a dream Tuesday night when UL played host to Rice in a sold-out game at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

Duplechain, who is still undergoing tests for a brain mass found in January, threw out the first pitch before the game, participated in the team prayer and sat in the dugout with Ragin’ Cajun players and coaches.

It was all made possible by Dreams Come True of Louisiana, a non-profit company based in Prairieville formed in 1983 to grant the wishes of local children with life-threatening illnesses.

"It was great — definitely more exciting than watching it on TV," said Duplechain, a junior at Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte. "I really enjoyed getting to talk with the players and sit in the dugout with them."

Knowing Duplechain’s love of baseball, Dreams Come True executive director Becky Prejean contacted Cajuns coach Tony Robichaux in January to share his story and ask if he was interested in getting involved.

Without hesitation, Robichaux agreed. On Feb. 2, several Cajun players went by to see Duplechain the same day he had surgery at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Lafayette.

"They brought him a poster, a t-shirt and a hat and just spent some time with him," said Duplechain’s mother, Lisa. "They really lifted his spirits and made him feel good and told him that if he ever wanted to go to a game to let them know."

Duplechain wanted to attend Tuesday’s matchup between the Cajuns and Rice because he liked both teams and continues to get treatment in Houston at Texas Children’s Hospital.

The Cajuns lost the game, 2-1, Tuesday night, but Duplechain’s situation brought some much-needed perspective to a number of players and coaches that are struggling through an inconsistent season.

"We tried to make him a part of our team, and I’m glad to see our players welcome him in like that," Robichaux said. "We were all a Little Leaguer at some time, so we’re just glad that we can do something for him and his family."

Cajuns senior Ryland Parker pitched Tuesday night, allowing one run in 6.1 innings while not factoring in the decision. He hoped that the game offered Duplechain an escape from his health concerns.

"We just really wanted to keep his mind off everything that was going on and let him know that we’re fighting with him," Parker said. "It kind of helps us realize our life is easy, and that there are some people out there dealing with some hard times. We want to give them all the support we can."

Outfielder Alex Fuselier, who signed an autograph for Duplechain after the game, was touched by the opportunity to spend time with the young baseball fanatic.

"Before the game some of the players were saying they wished they could take the jerseys off their backs and let him play," Fuselier said. "He’s such an inspiration to us. You can only admire someone that is fighting through something like that."

Robichaux added: "It’s important for us to give back. We always think that we’re trying to help them, but in a way they’re actually helping us."

Tears started to slowly stream down Duplechain’s face when he heard how excited the Cajun players and coaches were to spend time with him Tuesday night at Moore Field.

"That means a lot to me," he said. "I really love baseball. It’s my favorite sport, and I had a lot of fun."