10-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Throws First Pitch for Pirates

When Bryan Reynolds walked up to 10-year-old Penelope Byler during batting practice, he had a question that would make her entire year. Would she throw out the first pitch at Friday's Pirates game?

The smile that spread across Penelope's face said everything. For a girl who's already conquered the unthinkable, this moment represented pure joy.

Penelope's journey started at just 2 years old when doctors diagnosed her with Rhabdomyosarcoma. What followed was 42 consecutive weeks of chemotherapy, then 24 more weeks of maintenance treatment. She endured six weeks of radiation, five blood transfusions, four surgeries, and 48 medical sedations before finally ringing the cancer-free bell on November 22, 2019.

The Salesville, Ohio native has been cancer-free ever since. She's spent the last few years doing what kids should do: playing softball, making the All-Star team, and cheering for her favorite baseball team with her dad and brother.

Reynolds, Penelope's favorite player, made sure the night was special. The Pirates created a private locker room for the Byler family filled with custom jerseys, bobbleheads, and gifts. Reynolds signed a bat personally for Penelope, which she called her favorite moment.

But the surprises kept coming. Penelope and her 3-year-old sister Portlyn yelled "Play Ball!" to start the game. Her 15-year-old brother Timothy delivered the lineup card. The entire family held the finish line for the stadium's famous Pierogy Race, and owner Bob Nutting hosted them in the Home Plate Club.

Penelope's softball team got their own surprise too: tickets to watch the game from the World Series Suite. The young athlete, who now plays second base and shortstop, was surrounded by friends and teammates for the celebration.

Sunny's Take

This heartwarming night happened thanks to Lending Hearts, a local nonprofit supporting children and families living with cancer. Bryan and his wife Blair have supported the organization before, knowing how much these moments matter.

"She was a little shy at first," Reynolds said. "But you see her with her friends, and she's having a blast. To give her a special day really means a lot."

Penelope's mom, Kylie, watched her daughter's smile light up PNC Park. "She deserves everything she's gotten," Kylie said. "She battled for nearly two years nonstop and was resilient through the whole process, smiling and giggling."

Today, Penelope is exactly where she should be: playing ball, making memories, and proving that fighters can win.