Rhode Island Program Making a Difference

Oct. 2, 2008

BY KENDALL ROGERS, Rivals.com/Yahoo! Sports College Baseball Editor

After a 10-year pro baseball career, Rhode Island coach Jim Foster and his wife Narelle were ready for an addition to the family.

The Fosters certainly weren't prepared for the course their life took following the birth of their third daughter, Delaney, in 2004.

The Fosters soon realized Delaney was not developing the same way her sisters did.

"Delaney had two older sisters and we figured they were just speaking for her in some ways," Jim Foster told Rivals.com.

"Delaney got to 15 months old, and it didn't seem like much was happening. It was at that point that we decided to get her some help."

Though Foster knew something wasn't right, he was caught off-guard when the family's pediatrician diagnosed Delaney with autism. It's a neurological disorder that includes impaired social interaction and problems with communication.

"We knew something was up because she could repeat and hear some things, but didn't seem to process those things," he said. "We got her help right away, and that was a godsend because you can't wait until a kid is 2 or 3 to attack this disease."

As soon as he heard the diagnosis, Foster knew his life would be different. His life as a father had changed dramatically, and that would change his life as a coach.

"When it happened, we just decided to dive right into it," he said. "It's like coaching. If a player has a bad swing, you try to correct it. Same thing with my daughter's autism."

It's a simple philosophy that is anything but simple in practice for the Fosters.

"It was and has been tough to juggle my life on and off the field, but I have an unbelievable wife who allows me to do my job at school and come home and take care of the kids," he said. "I spend a lot of time with the team, but when I go home, everything I do is about the kids. That's the balance I have in my life."

Two summers ago, Foster and his team joined in a local "Walk Now for Autism" event.

"We showed up and walked in 2007, and it was unbelievable to me to see so many people in the same shoes as you," he said. "I think they say one out of 150 kids in the United States have autism. Everyone seems to know someone that has been affected."

The 2007 walk raised about $380,000. Foster felt his team could help raise more in '08, and his players agreed.

"We all decided to do the walk and to help with some stations because it's a great cause and we wanted to back Coach Foster up in any way we can," senior pitcher Luke Demko said. "We don't take things for granted here. These are real-life situations, and we as a team felt we needed to answer the call."

Players helped direct parking, register participants, set up tables and oversee different rides. They also were involved in face painting for kids.

"Coach Foster's family is part of our family, so we wanted to help out his family and other families that have to deal with autism," junior pitcher Nick Greenwood said as the Rams continue fall workouts. "We wanted to show the community we're here to help. We're not just a baseball team."

This year's autism walk, which took place Sunday, September 21, set a record, raising about $500,000. Foster will be forever grateful for his players' contributions.

"It means everything to me that my players went out there and volunteered to help so many people in need," said Foster, who's in his third season with the Rams and helped them to an NCAA Regional in '05. "Not once did I hear any of our players complain about the timing of the event. As a coach, you couldn't be more proud of how a group of guys composed themselves to the community."

Foster's mission to raise money for autism research won't stop with the "fun runs." He has approached URI administrators about hosting an event similar to those for breast cancer at a university basketball game this season. Foster also has plans to bring autism awareness to the forefront once warm weather returns in the spring.

"We need more people to get involved, but for parents, it's important to notice if your child is having difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication," he said. "If you notice symptoms that may be tied to autism, it's important to see a physician. It's unbelievable to me how this disease is affecting so many people in this country."

Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Rivals.com. He can be reached at rogersk@yahoo-inc.com.