When 15-year-old Ferris entered foster care earlier this year, baseball wasn’t on anyone’s radar. His world had been turned upside down—he was separated from the grandmother who had raised him, adjusting to a new home, and working to improve his grades and behavior at school. But when summer rolled around, CASA Wyatt knew that keeping Ferris busy and engaged could make all the difference.
Wyatt began exploring options and discovered the local community center had a baseball program. It seemed like the perfect fit—a place where Ferris could develop skills, build friendships, and enjoy the game he loved. There was just one major obstacle: transportation.
From the start, Wyatt hit roadblocks. The foster family’s busy schedule and limited transportation meant Ferris was missing practices. Wyatt tried everything—registering him on the spot from his phone, brainstorming with the program director, and even asking if he could personally drive Ferris (a liability rule made that impossible). When that failed, he pushed for alternative solutions, working with the foster care agency and BCCYS to make sure transportation was prioritized.
In court, Wyatt shared Ferris’s progress: after struggling academically, he had passed all his classes and was heading into 10th grade without any remedial work. Wyatt also explained the importance of baseball for Ferris’s growth and well-being. The hearing officer agreed, ordering that transportation to practices be provided and that necessary baseball gear be purchased.
Soon after, Wyatt visited the baseball field and saw the payoff. Ferris was there, in uniform, fitting in with his teammates and grinning from ear to ear. By the end of August, he will have played an entire season—something that wouldn’t have happened without Wyatt’s persistence.
As Wyatt says, “Baseball isn’t just a game for Ferris—it’s a lifeline. It’s structure, teamwork, and a reason to believe in himself.”
