Agrace Grants Local 1990 Brewers Bat Boy a Final Baseball Wish

Thursday, September 12, 2024

In 1990, Will Natz was 10 years old and about to have his dream come true—he was going to be a Milwaukee Brewers bat boy. As he waited in the County Stadium dugout, he heard Bob Uecker announce his name. Until his death, Natz treasured the cassette tape that held a recording of that moment.

Earlier this year, due to his progressing illness and the need for supplemental oxygen, Natz—a lifelong baseball fan—doubted he would get to another Brewers game in person. That was until his Agrace Hospice Care social worker, Kristin Kalpinski and nurse Jill Cooley saw a chance to make his wish come true with assistance from Agrace’s Wish program.

Through the Wish program, Kalpinski, Cooley and staff from the Agrace Foundation contacted the Brewers Community Foundation, American Family Field and other community partners. A donor gave Natz and his family four wheelchair-accessible seats for a Brewers game, plus tickets for Kalpinski and Cooley to go along to support Will’s care needs. Just a few days later, Natz was on his way to a game.

“There was so much working behind the scenes—with so many different people. It came together even better than we expected,” said Cooley. “The whole thing was pretty amazing.”

Kalpinski added, “Will loved it. Just being at AmFam Field with the environment and excitement; he just looked so happy—and was so grateful.”

Cecelia Gore, executive director of the Brewers Community Foundation, gave Natz a gift bag of team gear and a coveted “Ueck Skywalker” Star Wars-themed bobblehead. She also arranged for Brewers’ Hall of Famer Robin Yount to send Will a video message of encouragement. Agrace’s Wish program covered other trip costs that were a barrier to the outing for Natz and his family.

Agrace’s donor-funded Wish program, coordinated by staff of the Agrace Foundation, fulfills wishes of Agrace Hospice Care patients across southern Wisconsin. To learn more, visit Agrace.org/Wish.

For more information about Agrace, call (608) 276-4660 or visit agrace.org.