
Carson Hawkins is the Home Run King of Stanley
By Alan Hodge
alan@cfmedia.info
When Carson Hawkins, 12, takes to the baseball diamond at Harper Park in Stanley he smiles, his Crawdad teammates smile, his coach smiles, his parents smile, heck, everybody there smiles.
The reason for all the good will is the fact that even though Carson has physical challenges in the form of quadriplegic cerebral palsy, his passionate love of baseball and the desire to be the best he can be at it is an inspiration to all.
Carson is known far and wide for his home run hitting. According to Stanley Parks and Rec. director Tug Deason, Carson has about 40 homers to his credit. Carson grins broadly when his homer skills are mentioned.
“I want to keep playing ball as long as I can so I can keep hitting them,” he said.
Carson is a seasoned player. He started with Dallas Parks and Rec. then came to Stanley last season. He is a left fielder for the Dixie Youth Crawdads.
Carson’s coach, David Stone had this to say.
“He is a blessing to all of us,” Stone said. “His smile lights up the whole place. He showed me how much passion he has for baseball.”
Deason says Carson is a favorite of his as well.
“We are so glad, excited, and proud to have him take part,” he said.
Carson’s dad Adam is rightly proud of his son.
“As long as he wants to play baseball we will let him,” he said.
Mother Erin says seeing him on the field is a joy.
“Being on the team is great because it gives him the opportunity to be around other kids,” she said.
Carson is carrying on the Hawkins family athletic tradition. He has two older brothers, Riley who plays baseball for East Gaston High, and Zack who plays tennis there. Riley gives Carson a bit of a hand on the baseball field at the plate and in left field.
“I love seeing him out there playing with the other kids,” said Riley.
Carson is looking forward to growing in his athletic abilities.
“His goal is to run the bases on foot,” his mom said.
Meanwhile, Carson is looking to rack up even more homers. He says he knows about legend Babe Ruth and his 60-home run season and when asked if he thought he could top it, here’s what he said with his characteristic enthusiasm and energy.
“Yes, I can!”
alan@cfmedia.info
When Carson Hawkins, 12, takes to the baseball diamond at Harper Park in Stanley he smiles, his Crawdad teammates smile, his coach smiles, his parents smile, heck, everybody there smiles.
The reason for all the good will is the fact that even though Carson has physical challenges in the form of quadriplegic cerebral palsy, his passionate love of baseball and the desire to be the best he can be at it is an inspiration to all.
Carson is known far and wide for his home run hitting. According to Stanley Parks and Rec. director Tug Deason, Carson has about 40 homers to his credit. Carson grins broadly when his homer skills are mentioned.
“I want to keep playing ball as long as I can so I can keep hitting them,” he said.
Carson is a seasoned player. He started with Dallas Parks and Rec. then came to Stanley last season. He is a left fielder for the Dixie Youth Crawdads.
Carson’s coach, David Stone had this to say.
“He is a blessing to all of us,” Stone said. “His smile lights up the whole place. He showed me how much passion he has for baseball.”
Deason says Carson is a favorite of his as well.
“We are so glad, excited, and proud to have him take part,” he said.
Carson’s dad Adam is rightly proud of his son.
“As long as he wants to play baseball we will let him,” he said.
Mother Erin says seeing him on the field is a joy.
“Being on the team is great because it gives him the opportunity to be around other kids,” she said.
Carson is carrying on the Hawkins family athletic tradition. He has two older brothers, Riley who plays baseball for East Gaston High, and Zack who plays tennis there. Riley gives Carson a bit of a hand on the baseball field at the plate and in left field.
“I love seeing him out there playing with the other kids,” said Riley.
Carson is looking forward to growing in his athletic abilities.
“His goal is to run the bases on foot,” his mom said.
Meanwhile, Carson is looking to rack up even more homers. He says he knows about legend Babe Ruth and his 60-home run season and when asked if he thought he could top it, here’s what he said with his characteristic enthusiasm and energy.
“Yes, I can!”