This is an unusual page for the website. Normally we present information on injuries and health risks that are caused by baseball. This page is from a father who need to know the signs and symptoms of a disease that can affect any young person. Because of the nature of the information, we know - but have chosen not to publish - the contributor's name.

I've been thinking about this for a long time, and whether or not to send it. My only motivation is that perhaps there is a dad out there that can help his son with the information. Since the disease often strikes kids around 11 or 12 years old, I am sure there are others out there that will go through the same things.

My son was in love with baseball from the time he started out in tee ball at age 5. He kept progressing and made all of the all star teams. He played travel ball for three years and we enjoyed the time we spent together at practice, games and traveling. We spent untold hours in the batting cages, on the field before and after practice, and throwing in the driveway.

During the spring/summer when he was 11, there was a noticeable drop off in his speed and strength. When he ran the bases, it was as though he was running in slow motion. He had been one of the better hitters on his teams previously so we just spent more time at the cages and in lessons. He even went to speed and agility training trying to regain his speed. He had been a decent pitcher but he ran out of gas after two innings.


I was convinced that it was just a "slump" that he would get through. His desire to play seemed to be less than it was before, but he still wanted to play.

We got through the eleven year old season and we discussed whether he wanted to keep playing as we did every year. He confirmed that he wanted to try at least one more year. The team had a skills camp during the Thanksgiving holidays and we attended as usual. During the camp, he had no energy. He was continually thirsty, had stomach aches, head aches, lacked strength, and had to go pee a lot. I took him home and told my wife something was not right. We took him to the doctor the day after Thanksgiving and the diagnosis was juvenile diabetes.

He was admitted to the hospital for three days. They put him on insulin to get his blood sugar level back to a normal range. We went through education classes to learn how to manage the disease. It was one of the hardest times of our lives, and for the first year, we thought we wouldn't make it. He is now doing great and is on an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring sensor. His cooperation and the help of the medical staff has made the management of the disease seem almost "normal".


So, if your son displays any of the following symptoms, you should get him checked out by your physician. I am certainly not a doctor, and don't claim to be an expert, but we have made it our goal to educate ourselves about this disease. It is unlikely they can stop the disease from occurring, but you can prevent your child from having a diabetic coma or extremely high blood sugar levels if discovered early.

1. Displays a noticeable drop off in speed or strength
2. Frequently complains of stomach aches and head aches
3. Drinks more liquid than usual (especially sugar soft drinks)
4. Urinates frequently

Although he no longer plays baseball, we still enjoy watching baseball and attend games occasionally. With proper management of the disease, he can enjoy years of good health and avoid the terrible side effects that were common in the past.