coach made the special request to keep Maddie’s memory alive, and was fortunate to be granted approval by the Schmidt family. It’s a small gesture, but a touching ex- ample of the inspiring impact Maddie had on Flores and the WooSox organization. Though she’s passed on to a better life, the Schmidts continue to spread Maddie’s sparkle. The family began Magic for Maddie, a fundraising effort devoted to raising awareness for DIPG and providing scholarships for students who emulate Maddie’s spirit. The Schmidts hope to give children like Maddie a chance in the fight against DIPG and to keep her legacy of kindness, tenacity, and love alive. conquering cancer, Flores is reminded every day of the joy in Maddie’s eyes at Polar Park. For a day, baseball was the remedy to the bitterness of life. A few hours that were innocent and pure created a sorrowful, but heartwarming memory for a baseball lifer. As the WooSox and Schmidts continue their efforts in
said Flores. “Making her family actually feel like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” For a Sunday afternoon in May, the outlook didn’t appear so bleak. Maybe there was a light at the end of a tunnel. It’s the little things––like playing catch, spending time with family, and making new friends that matter, anyways. Seven months later, on New Year’s Eve, 2022, Maddie lost her battle to cancer. While she is now in a better place, Flores is reminded of her every day. “This is one picture that I really like–– it’s actually my wallpaper on my cell phone.” (The photo is of a smiling Maddie with Flo on the field at Polar Park before the game that May day). Not only is it Flores’ wallpaper, but it’s also the face of his 2024 WooSox baseball card. The WooSox bench The Schmidt Family with former Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo prior to a game at Polar Park in May of 2022.
Was it a field of dreams?
“Totally for her,” Flores said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget.” For more information on Magic for Maddie, please visit: www.magicformaddie.com
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