JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – As baseball season winds down, some Jacksonville Beach little leaguers are chasing a dream that stretches far beyond their home field.
The Barracudas, a 12-and-under all-star team also known as Jax Beach Riley, have earned an invitation to play next summer in Cooperstown, New York, where they will compete against teams from across the country.
The road to get here has been anything but easy.
For players like 12-year-old Brayden Stephens, baseball is more than just a game — it’s a triumph.
When Brayden was just 3 years old, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. His mother, Kara Stephens, has a vivid memory of his chemotherapy that still makes her emotional.
“The realest part for me, I was giving him a bath, and it was just chunks of this beautiful hair just coming out,” she said.
Brayden remembers that time, too.
“I was just… I was feeling miserable,” he said.
His mother worried he’d never be able to run or play like other kids. Today, six seasons later, he’s thriving on the baseball field alongside his teammates.
He’s not the only player who has had to fight his way back to the game.
Teammate Bo Miller underwent open-heart surgery around the same time Brayden was battling cancer. Now he’s back in action, swinging for the fences.
While some players have battled life-threatening illnesses, others face financial challenges. The team must raise more than $24,000 to cover registration for Cooperstown. To help make the trip possible, the kids have been holding car washes and other fundraisers. Some of the players’ sisters have even donated their babysitting money.
Still, their determination is unwavering. For Brayden, the chance to step onto that field means everything.
“I mean, to see from being sick to this… it’s kinda crazy,” he said. “It feels good. That’s all I gotta say.”
For Team Riley, Cooperstown represents more than just baseball. It’s proof that perseverance pays off.
The team is one of two hoping to represent the Jacksonville Beach Baseball Association at the tournament.
Supporters can help Jax Beach Riley reach its $24,000 fundraising goal through an online fundraiser.
Both Brayden and Bo continue to undergo medical monitoring, but as their play on the field shows, they are doing well. They can’t wait to get to Cooperstown with their teammates.