Arvest Ballpark Serves As Haven For Byrom Family

Austin Byrom, 10, sits Tuesday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. The fifth-grader from Farmington was the subject of a 90-second video, which won the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ video contest, held in conjunction with team’s fifth anniversary. The video features Austin and shows his love of baseball while coping with cystic fibrosis.
Austin Byrom, 10, sits Tuesday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. The fifth-grader from Farmington was the subject of a 90-second video, which won the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ video contest, held in conjunction with team’s fifth anniversary. The video features Austin and shows his love of baseball while coping with cystic fibrosis.

— Like many boys his age, 10-year-old Austin Byrom of Farmington loves baseball.

But unlike other boys his age, Byrom has several challenges to overcome just to be able to enjoy the game he loves.

Web Watch

To view Austin Byrom’s winning video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L0CovxABkI

He has Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic disease of the respiratory and digestive systems, along with Epilepsy and Tourette Syndrome.

Austin’s stepmother, Lana, said he spends more than two hours a day with treatments for the Cystic Fibrosis, not to mention several hours a week with speech therapy and other issues related to his medical problems.

He is a huge fan of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals minor league baseball team, so when Lana Byrom saw something on the Internet about the Arvest Ballpark Video Contest, she went to work almost immediately.

“As soon as I looked at the guidelines, I knew we could put something together,” Lana Byrom said.

The 90-second video which chronicled Austin’s love for baseball and visits to Arvest Ballpark in Springdale while dealing with debilitating medical problems was selected as the winning entry out of 72 submitted.

Austin was honored on Aug. 23 and threw out the first pitch prior to the Naturals’ game against the Springfield (Mo.) Cardinals. The video was also played at the park’s large video screen prior to the game.

He also received $1,000 and will get to use a personal suite at the park during a game next season.

The contest, which was meant to highlight the many ways that people use the ballpark, was judged by a panel of Naturals and Arvest Bank staff.

“Arvest is not just a ballpark,” Naturals general manager Eric Edelstein said. “It means different things to different people. For Austin it’s an escape from his medical problems.”

Arvest Ballpark is definitely more than just a facility for baseball. It’s been utilized for more than 300 non-baseball related events since it was built, Edelstein said.

But baseball is the main focus for Byrom and his family. He has a red Naturals cap with a few of the players’ signatures on it, along with a couple of bats. Austin also has more than 20 baseballs collected from Arvest Ballpark.

Even though he has yet to catch a foul ball, he said that’s his favorite part of the game. He brings his glove and is at the ready in case a foul ball comes his way.

Austin doesn’t recall his first trip to Arvest Ballpark five years ago, but his parents have shown him pictures.

Finding time for Naturals baseball isn’t easy as Lana and Steve Byrom have four other children in addition to Austin, and both work outside the home. Steve Byrom also attends Northwest Arkansas Community College two days a week.

In addition, Austin’s brother, Tyler, also has Cystic Fibrosis.

Both Austin and Tyler have checkups with a battery of doctors every three months. Their life is also full of uncertainty, since either one or both could be admitted to the hospital for problems related to their illnesses, Lana Byrom said.

For example, the family spent Thanksgiving in the hospital in 2009.

“They could be admitted to the hospital for two weeks at a time at the drop of a hat,” Lana Byrom said. “We just never know how it’s going to go. And we have to have a backup plan for the other kids.”

Arvest Ballpark gives Austin the chance to enjoy something he loves, Steve Byrom said.

“It’s a place he can get away and not have to think about his medical stuff,” Steve Byrom said. “It’s a fun time for everybody because we’re not dealing with the treatments and things.

“It’s hard trying to find time to spend as a family.”

Arvest Ballpark has provided that for the Byroms, and Austin’s love for the game.

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