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AARON PILKINGTON
OVERCOMES OBSTACLES TO EXCEL ON DIAMOND
Imagine for a moment the emotions experienced by Rich and Stephenie Pilkington during a routine checkup for Stephanie’s pregnancy. Following the 
completion of an ultrasound to discover the baby’s sex, the Doctor says, “Your unborn boy has a Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation, we need to discuss a few options.” After catching their breath, the Pilkington’s listened to the options. Needless to say, most of the options were not acceptable. The Pilkington’s choose to hope for the best and continue the pregnancy.
Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation / CCAM of the lung is a relatively rare abnormality that appears on an ultrasound as a solid or cystic mass (tumor) of pulmonary tissue that has an abundance of bronchial structures (breathing channels).
Weekly checkups continued and the mass remained but the growth was minimal. Aaron was born a few months later, but the Pilkington’s knew they were not out of the danger zone for newborn Aaron. At four months, the doctors performed a surgery to remove the lower left lobe of Aaron’s lung. Expecting to stay in the hospital for a week, miraculously, Aaron was released after only two days. The surgery was a huge success and Aaron began to build his strength. No further complications were found during routine checkup visits and Aaron’s growth is now normal. The only daily reminder for the Pilkington’s is a scar from Aaron’s back to his sternum.
Now with a healthy infant at home, the Pilkington’s and older brother Tyler (now 16) were able to resume a normal family life. Following Tyler’s lead, Aaron quickly turned to baseball as a toddler.
Fast forward to present day and a very healthy eight year old Aaron. After many years of playing catch and practicing baseball with Tyler, Aaron has become one of the top eight year old players in the South Charlotte area. Eight times this season, Aaron has connected for home runs at Park Sharon baseball fields. No, not in the park home runs, but line drives easily clearing the four foot high fence in right field, 136 feet from home plate. Maybe even more impressive are the five home runs Aaron hit as a seven year old last season. Amazing statistics for a little boy that some doctors thought would never make it to birth.
Aaron’s father realizes how lucky the Pilkington’s were.
“The best case scenario happened for us with Aaron and we are extremely grateful. Today he is like every other kid playing baseball and football. We still worry at times, but he has never had any problems playing sports.”
As an eight year old at Park Sharon Athletic Association, Pilkington plays in a machine pitch league. These machines are set to pitch between 38-40 mph after a coach sets the ball on the machine and pulls a lever. In addition to playing first base and shortstop for his recreation team at Park Sharon, Aaron starts at shortstop for the Park Sharon Challenge Team. The Challenge team is comprised of some of the top players in the league.
According to Aaron’s Challenge Team coach, Don Riggs, Aaron is always one of the best players on the field.
“Aaron is one of the top athletes at Park Sharon, his baseball knowledge is super for an eight year old. With the way he plays, you would think he was at least ten years old. Aaron is a real pleasure to coach.”
In a recent Challenge League game, Aaron’s box score read: grand slam home run, three run home run, double, and single for a total of nine runs batted in. According to Riggs, one of the home runs traveled an estimated 180 feet.
Aaron is a very normal eight year old. When asked about his baseball accomplishments and why he likes to play the game he replied as most eight year old boys would.
“I like to play baseball with my friends and to meet new people. Playing baseball here at Park Sharon is fun. I also like to play baseball with my big brother.”
In addition to helping his brother, older brother Tyler is also one of the top baseball players in the area. A rising junior at Weddington High School, the lefthander, throws an 86 mph fastball. The last few summers, Tyler has played for Team Charlotte, the 2005 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) National Champion runner-up and for the South Charlotte Panthers. Tyler also plays for the On Deck O’s baseball teams. Some of the top college coaches in the state have taken notice and are showing interest in signing “Aaron’s older brother.”
Aaron plans to a full summer of baseball practice and All-Star play for Park Sharon.
Life is about obstacles and finding ways to conquer those obstacles. For Aaron Pilkington and his family, his biggest challenge came before he was born. The South Charlotte Sports Report wants to wish Aaron continued success both on and off the field.
GOD loves and cares for the Butterflies and Roses,
and more does He love and care for the
LITTLE CHILDREN.
