MIAMI (WSVN) – The Miami Marlins invited a man and his family for a special night at the ballpark amid his ongoing battle with colon cancer.<\/p>\n
Patrick Strain and his family are getting an unbelievable chance to unwind with a full day at loanDepot Park. Strain will cap off the day with the chance to take the field before the Marlins face off against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday evening,<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody has a bucket list, right? This wouldn\u2019t even be on my bucket list, it\u2019s so special. I didn\u2019t think I would ever, ever get the chance to throw a pitch at an MLB game,\u201d said Strain.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s no stranger to sports, with plenty of professional experience on the golf course.<\/p>\n
But for Wednesday\u2019s game, he\u2019s swapping his usual golf club for a baseball mitt.<\/p>\n
He admitted to feeling nervous about the opportunity, but said it\u2019ll be an unforgettable experience no matter how his pitch goes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel great about it! Either I\u2019m going to be great or it\u2019s gonna be embarrassingly awesome,\u201d said Strain.<\/p>\n
The father of two, Ethan and Harrison, said the exciting evening gives all of them a chance to relax from his strenuous battle against colon cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been hard on everybody. My wife has been a rock star, kept the family going, it\u2019s fun to be able to do stuff like this,\u201d said Strain.<\/p>\n
Sports has always been something that unites his family, with both of Strain\u2019s sons playing football.<\/p>\n
When Strain was younger, he even dabbled on the baseball diamond.<\/p>\n
Now, he and his family are enjoying the opportunity to watch batting practice and catch a game in the tropical environment of Miami.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a chance for us to reconnect \u2019cause when you\u2019re at home, stuff you have to do, whether it\u2019s laundry or work or school, you miss a lot of stuff. You really see the personality of the kids come out on vacation,\u201d said Strain.<\/p>\n
No matter what the sport is, Strain and his family are just glad to be able to make memories together, with a little assist from the Marlins.<\/p>\n
Prior to Wednesday\u2019s game, several players from the team stopped by to greet them in the dugout and giving his kids some authentic gear.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been a warrior through this, and the kids, I\u2019m so proud of them, like, three years of watching your dad do chemo every other week, it\u2019s really tough and they are so strong,\u201d said Melanie Strain, his wife.<\/p>\n
As they continue on their journey, Wednesday\u2019s vacation will be a bright spot they won\u2019t ever forget.<\/p>\n
\u201cTreatment\u2019s tough, but I\u2019m a forever optimist, you know, I think it\u2019s happening for a reason. It\u2019s gonna bring us closer together and we\u2019ll see where it goes,\u201d said Strain.<\/p>\n
First pitch for Wednesday\u2019s game is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.<\/p>\n
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