Cole Hartley of Princeville, Ill., is anything but your typical baseball enthusiast. For Cole, baseball is a way of life, an avenue to benefit cherished philanthropies and a platform to mentor young athletes. Baseball, along with the support of his family, has given Cole the confidence and self-assurance to be a leader on and off the baseball diamond.

 

Born with clubfoot, Cole was referred to Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Chicago when he was five years old, by his school superintendent who was also a local Shriner. Clubfoot is a common abnormality affecting one of 1,000 children. Cole underwent his first surgery at the Chicago hospital to correct the positioning of his left foot when he was 6 years old, and had his final surgery at 13.

 

Since having the surgeries, flexibility and coordination improved, and Cole’s ability to succeed in baseball has taken off tremendously. Chris Delbridge, Cole’s longtime baseball coach, refers to him as the “exception to the rule,” particularly in terms of tenacity and dedication.  “Many young teens have no idea what they are capable of achieving,” said Delbridge. “If success doesn’t come their way, they are willing to throw in the towel, but not Cole. He has the passion and drive to achieve whatever he sets his mind to.  Cole works tremendously hard during practice and on his own time,” said Delbridge. “Although Cole is committed to refining his own baseball skills, he is also passionate about volunteering his time as a little league coach.”

 

As Princeville High School’s top varsity relief pitcher, Cole has used his love of baseball and innate desire to help others to benefit organizations including Shriners Hospitals for Children and the local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. The MS Society is an organization especially important to Cole’s family as it provides assistance and support to his aunt, along with the many others who live with the incurable disease. Every year, Cole works long hours securing baseball-related auction items for the society’s annual benefit. His involvement in the organization started when he received an autographed Jim Thome baseball card when 9 years old. “When Cole received the baseball card, I thought it would be a cherished possession he would keep forever,” said Rita Hartley, Cole’s mother. “But Cole, as he often does, immediately thought of how the MS benefit would appreciate having such a valuable item in the auction.”

 

Cole attends many Chicago Cubs and professional sports caravans in hopes of securing additional auction items for the M.S. benefit. One baseball game of particular importance to Cole was when former Chicago Cubs superstar Ernie Banks invited the teen to join him in his box to discuss Cole’s dedication to baseball and commitment to philanthropy.

As a way to thank those who have supported him through difficult times, Cole creates artistic glass plates. On a return visit to the Chicago Shriners Hospital, Cole gave Peter Smith, M.D., the orthopaedic surgeon who operated on his foot nearly a decade ago, one of the plates as an expression of his gratitude for all that the hospital has done for him.

 

After high school Cole hopes to attend college on a baseball scholarship and major in sports education. With the dream of one day becoming a baseball coach, Cole is dedicated to furthering his goal one pitch at a time.