The Savannah Bananas celebrated their newest home run hitter, Scarlett, at an Aug. 1 game at Camden Yards. Get to know the gastroparesis fighter here.
Meet the Savannah Bananas' newest home run hitter: Scarlett James Ward.
The 4-year-old, who gained the attention of the popular exhibition baseball team after her nomination video went viral online, scored a home run in front of a sold out crowd on Aug. 1, 2025, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
Scarlett, who donned an official Savannah Bananas jersey tied at the waist, was joined on the field by her brothers and biggest fans — Jackson, 9, and Ryder, 8 — who spearheaded her nomination.
Her mother, Kelsey, and father, Jon, were also in attendance to watch their daughter round the bases, with tears streaming down their faces.
"It was such an unforgettable experience," Kelsey said.
"Can confirm that Scarlett can hit dingers!" the Savannah Bananas wrote in a post online.
Scarlett has battled a motility disorder known as gastroparesis, or paralysis of the stomach, since infancy. Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach empties its contents into the small intestine too slowly.
For most of her life, Scarlett has been in and out of the hospital, undergoing tests, surgeries, medications, feeding tube insertion and more. She has also struggled with hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone, relying on a kidwalk wheelchair and gait trainer to remain upright.
"She has had to overcome so much," Kelsey said of her daughter. "She struggled to walk, and now she can run."
"This is a dream come true for us to watch because there were days when we didn't know if she was going to be able to walk on her own, let alone run in a sold-out stadium in front of thousands of people with the Savannah Bananas," she continued.
For Scarlett to run around the bases with ease and a smile on her face was a miracle in and of itself.
"Her everyday looks far from normal for a 4-year-old, but it's her normal and she rocks it with a smile on her face," Kelsey said. "She's amazing."
The Ward family hails from Parsonsburg.
The family's mantra? "Never give up."
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Savannah Bananas new home run hitter is 4! And a gastroparesis warrior
Category: General Sports
