Frisco Kid With No Right Arm Has MLB Dreams
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FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) - Something we all take for granted. something Tyler Sampson will never know
"Tyler is my inspiration," says mom Cindy Sampson.
"I don't see myself as inspiring...I see myself as just me," says Tyler.
Tyler was born missing his right arm below the elbow. When he expressed a desire to play sports his parents had concerns.
"You just get scared....how's he gonna defend himself...how are kids gonna treat him," says dad Doug Sampson.
The answer quickly became just like one of them once they saw Tyler's ability to not just fit in but to be one of the best.
"I just sat home and practiced until I could do it as fast as other kids can," says Tyler.
"Tyler has always been good about seeing things as challenges rather than a burden," says Cindy.
Cindy Sampson is the current Mrs Frisco, using her platform to bring awareness to amputees. She's had plenty of help making her pitch. The organization Keeper of the Game, helps kids with disabilities thru baseball recently arranged for Tyler to throw out the first pitch for the Rough Riders.
"Just inspiring how Tyler gets out there and does it like any other kid and excels beyond most of them," says Bryan Hoctor, the Executive Director Keeper of the Games.
Case in point, the 14-year-old is headed to the 19 and under World Series next week in Colorado. He hopes that will just be his first World Series.
"He wants to go as far as he can go. He wants to go to the majors."
Only pitching for two years, Tyler wants to follow in the footsteps of a man who's become his mentor, former major league pitcher Jim Abbott, also born without a right hand, who spent 11 years in the big leagues. He threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 1993.
"It's a big leap but I definitely think I can do it," says Tyler.
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