Springfield Cardinals game allows families to make memories, honor those lost to Alzheimer's

For Mark Applegate, throwing out the first pitch at Saturday night's Springfield Cardinals game was especially poignant: During high school, Applegate played baseball, with his mother and father often acting as catcher for him when he practiced at home.

“She probably would have been my catcher today, I imagine,” he said. Applegate's mom has been in hospice for the last three years due to her advanced Alzheimer's disease and dementia, so she was unable to attend Saturday's game.

"She would have definitely enjoyed coming to something like this; she’s always loved the Cardinals," Applegate said.

The Greater Missouri chapter of the Alzheimer's Association organized the "A Game to Remember" event on Saturday to not only raise funds, but to "make sure that those currently impacted and living with the disease felt included and invited," said Samantha Whittaker, walk manager for the Greater Missouri Alzheimer's Association chapter, in a previous News-Leader interview.

Sisters Barb Stafford and Brenda Patrick attended the game with their father, who has Parkinson's disease as well as Alzheimer's disease. The women became involved with the local Alzheimer's Association chapter when their mother was diagnosed.

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According to Stafford, baseball has always been something their parents enjoyed, prior to their mom's death from Alzheimer's disease in 2016.

“My kids both played baseball when they were younger, and my mom and dad both traveled to every tournament they went to. We brought the team up here several times to watch the game, and (my parents) were right here with us every time," Stafford said. "So, it’s special to be able to still bring him; I wish Mom was still here too. But as long as he’s able, we’re going to continue to bring him and make those memories."

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Another attendee, Stephanie Shearer, had similar outings with her father prior to his death from Alzheimer's in 2009. She sponsored a person with dementia and their caregiver, allowing them to attend the game.

The Alzheimer's Association's mission is close to Shearer's heart.

"My dad battled dementia and Alzheimer’s for maybe 10, 12 years. I love what the Alzheimer’s Association does. They were a big help to my family when we were doing that," Shearer said. "I think it’s important to help support them and hopefully maybe find a cure, one of these days. It’s probably the worst thing to watch one of your loved ones go through that.”

This isn't the Springfield Cardinals' first partnership with the Alzheimer's Association.

"We’ve partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association for several years and are proud to be an outlet to create awareness about the disease and a venue to bring people together," said Cardinals general manager Dan Reiter. "They did a tremendous job putting the outing together as they work towards their walk in September."

Applegate, who has been chronicling his mom's journey with Alzheimer's on his blog "Digital Cornbread," encouraged people whose family members are in the early stages of Alzheimer's and dementia to take advantage of experiences like Saturday night's game.

“We never know how long we have with our loved ones in life anyway ... If (your loved one is) early in dementia, events like this are good to have, to kind of cling on to as a family memory," he said.

"This is a special thing."

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Cardinals game special for those with dementia, family