10-Year-Old Brain Tumor Survivor Gets Hero's Welcome

When 10-year-old Roman Senft shouts "Play Ball!" before Tuesday's Pirates game, he'll be celebrating more than just baseball. He'll be celebrating life itself after surviving a brain tumor that appeared out of nowhere this April.

The day after attending the Pirates' home opener with his family, Roman began experiencing severe headaches and nausea. After two trips to the hospital, doctors finally discovered the shocking truth: a hemorrhaging brain tumor in his right frontal lobe.

Emergency surgery at UPMC Children's Hospital came just days later. Then Roman and his family spent two months at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, where he underwent targeted proton radiation therapy.

Now, Roman's oncology team has cleared him for fall baseball. Though he'll continue taking medication for two more years to prevent the tumor from returning, he's ready to get back on the field.

The Pirates organization learned about Roman's story and sent a care package during his treatment. They stayed in touch with his mom Denise, planning this special day where Roman will deliver the lineup card and hold the finish line for the Great Pittsburgh Pierogy Race.

For the Senft family, baseball has always been more than a game. Denise and her ex-husband Ryan have three boys who've attended Pirates home openers since the oldest was born, often flying a Dominican Republic flag on a broomstick to honor Denise's heritage.

Sunny's Take

Roman can't pick a favorite Pirates player because he loves them all, from Paul Skenes to Oneil Cruz. That's the kind of pure joy baseball brings to this family, especially during the toughest summer they've ever faced.

The support from their community around Seneca Valley School District has been overwhelming. "It has really restored our faith in humanity," Denise said, noting how friends and neighbors came together when they needed it most.

Baseball gave the Senfts something positive to focus on during four-pill Mondays that brought nausea and MRI scans every two months. It's where the family bonds without force, where even teenagers eagerly say yes to hanging out with their parents.

Tuesday's game will give Roman the red carpet treatment he deserves, complete with VIP access to the Home Plate Club and meeting his favorite players.

After months of hospitals and treatments, Roman gets to do what he loves most: celebrate baseball and look forward to playing it again this fall.