9-year-old signs 1-day contract with Louisville Bats, throws out 1st pitch

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A 9-year-old baseball fanatic got the chance to see what it was like to be a Louisville Bat for the day.

The minor league baseball team in Louisville honored this year's Norton Children's "Super Kid" Ben Rhodes at Saturday's game.

BATS SUPER KID — Ben Rhodes signed a one-day contract with the Louisville Bats at Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky. on June 7, 2025.

Ben has been a patient at Norton Children's throughout his entire life. His twin brother Henry and him were born premature and had to be in the NICU for several months. Since then, Ben has had several health complications including sepsis and a brain bleed.

"With Ben it was just one thing after another where it wasn't great news and there was a lot of uncertainty through that process," said Josh Rhodes, Ben's father.

Recently, Ben has been back at Norton Children's as he was treated for Little League elbow. Now, his physician assistant said he's ready to start throwing strikes again.

"He was like, I'm already back to baseball, I'm back to throwing, I'm having no pain I'm great and so it was a great check-in to know that he is back to doing what he loves to do," Norton Children's physician assistant Kirby Talman said.

It was just in time to be signed as a Louisville Bat.

Saturday, Ben got to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Baseball runs deep in Rhodes' blood. His grandfather played for a long time, and his dad played for the University of Louisville in 2000 and his older brother is currently a pitcher for Southwest Oklahoma State.

"It has been really rewarding for me as a father to watch him do something that he loves so much and the joy that he's shown and the interactions with the players and all the activities on and off the field," Josh said.

Josh said Ben is thriving and is looking forward to his future on the baseball diamond.

"To see him out here healthy, to see him out here strong doing that it's a full circle moment, so it's been a good emotional day," Josh said.

Ben even brought a bit of good luck to Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats snapped their nine-game losing streak, walking it off against the Norfolk Tides, winning 2-1.

Louisville continues the series Sunday with a doubleheader.

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