A full Nelson: Leukemia can't dull Carlsbad boy's passion for baseball

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Thursday, December 6, 2007 1:11 AM PST ∞

CARLSBAD -- Nicolas Nelson was acting, well, like any other 11-year-old.

He was sitting in his Carlsbad home with his baseball cap flipped backward when his father, Greg, briefly left the scene. Nicolas pounced on his opportunity.

"Hey, did you have a chocolate when I was out of the room?'' Greg asked.

Nicolas' smile gave the answer. He pilfered a Hershey's Kiss, and I wasn't going to tattle because Nicolas is a good kid.

A good kid who temporarily has been dealt a bad hand. Nicolas was to have played this fall in Carlsbad Youth Baseball, a season that recently ended. Nicolas' team, the Bronco League Cardinals, finished around .500 --Ýbut it's perfect in the Nelsons' eyes.

"Everyone in the league has been awesome,'' Greg Nelson said Wednesday. "And he didn't even get to play in a game.''

Before the first pitch, Nicolas' body balked. He attended one August practice before being forced out of action.

Nicolas was soon diagnosed with leukemia, a disease he is fighting with courage and the backing of an entire baseball program.

It's an old adage that some things don't show up in the box score. Count Nicolas' impact as falling into that category.

"Everyone has been so helpful and supportive of him,'' said Lori Nelson, his mother. "That has really been encouraging to him.''

Nicolas didn't swing a bat, but he hit a home run. Nicolas never wore a mitt, but he lent a hand through his presence. He never pitched, but his delivery froze others.

That's why, despite being restricted to a wheelchair, he was a big part of the Cardinals, thanks to the efforts of his manager, Mark Johnson.

Nicolas has the uniform and that backward-turned cap to prove it. On the side of his bright red cap is his jersey number: 7. It's a digit that found its way on to every one of his teammates' caps.

"He never really got to do anything; he never played,'' Lori said. "And here are kids that don't really know him and yet they are totally supportive of him.''

Nicolas needs that love as he wrestles with leukemia. It requires bi-monthly stays in the hospital for chemotherapy treatments. It means getting around in that dang wheelchair that Nicolas can't wait to ditch.

"For everything that he has had to go through, he is handling it pretty well,'' Lori said. "He can't walk right now, but he gets to where he wants to go even if he has to crawl. He is a fighter.''

Nicolas won't stay down long. This switch-hitting corner infielder is eager to return to the field. That way, he can mimic his favorite player, Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez. Or maybe toss a changeup, like his Padres idol, Trevor Hoffman.

Nicolas was at Petco Park last year when Hoffman notched his 500th save. A neighborhood buddy later scored him Hoffman's autograph.

While Nicolas was in the hospital, Chargers right guard Mike Goff poked his head in to say "hi."

"That guy was big,'' Nicolas said, his eyes growing in astonishment.

Nicolas is a man's man, too. A kid, sure, but one with a large appetite for sports, life and a certain Wii video game.

CYB held a bake sale recently -- organized by Lisa Pahl -- and more than $800 was raised for Nicolas. Tom Watson, the CYB president, said families were more than willing to contribute.

"We have a really strong community and when they see people in need, they really don't have to be asked very much,'' Watson said. "They will help out any way they can.''

With the proceeds, Nicolas bought a TV and a Wii -- he has the sore arms to prove it.

It seems that in the boxing game, Nicolas gave his dad a big roundhouse. Which is fine with Nicolas' parents.

"That has really helped him because it has got him moving around,'' Greg said of the video game.

Said Lori" "That was the best thing for him because he has to move to play the game, and it actually got him exercising, which was cool. It was really good for him.''

A visit with Nicolas is good for anyone.

It's easy to see why he's loved by the baseball bunch; why Pacific Rim Elementary School, where he's a fifth-grader, held a jog-a-thon; why the Rancho Bernardo U.S. Postal Service facility employees -- where Lori works -- sponsored two fundraisers.

"There are ups and downs,'' Lori said of Nicolas, who has a twin sister, Kylee. "Some days are better than others. Today is good.''

Everyone should remember a courageous Nicolas and say the same thing -- today is good.

Nicolas' determination to hit, catch and throw again is the essence of America's pastime. Forget the Padres and what they are or aren't doing at the baseball's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

Nicolas shouldn't play second fiddle to anyone.

"Hopefully, he can try to play baseball next year,'' Greg said.

"I'll even play,'' Nicolas said, "in a wheelchair.''

Those words sound as sweet as that chocolate Nicolas snagged on the sly.

If you want to help Nicolas, donate blood. Be sure it is designated with the code "NN02" so it reaches Nicolas.

Do so, and Nicolas will touch you, too.

-- Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.