For most fans, spring training is just baseball.
For 15 courageous teenagers from San Diego, it’s something far more powerful — a celebration of survival, friendship, and hope.

From Hospital Rooms to the Ballpark: Rady Children’s Patients Experience Padres Spring Training Dream

What began as a medical journey filled with uncertainty is turning into an unforgettable weekend of joy for a group of brave teenagers from San Diego.

Fifteen patients from Rady Children’s Hospital’s Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders departed for Arizona this weekend to attend San Diego Padres spring training in Peoria — a trip that represents far more than just watching baseball.

For many of them, it’s a moment they once weren’t sure they would get to experience.

And now, they’ll be enjoying it together.

A Trip Filled With Excitement and Firsts

The group left San Diego International Airport on Friday afternoon, beginning a special three-day adventure made possible through a partnership between Rady Children’s Hospital and Alaska Airlines.

For many of the teens, the trip marks a major milestone.

It’s the first time they’ve traveled without their parents, surrounded instead by friends, hospital staff, and fellow patients who understand their medical journeys.

And the destination couldn’t be more exciting.

They’re heading straight into the world of Major League Baseball.

A Young Fan’s Dream Comes True

Among the teens making the trip is Diego Morris, who could barely contain his excitement before departure.

“I can’t wait,” Diego said. “It’s my first time at spring training. I get the VIP experience!”

Diego proudly chose to wear Padres jersey No. 3, the number worn by his favorite player, rising Padres star Jackson Merrill.

His excitement carries deeper meaning.

In summer 2023, Diego was diagnosed with leukemia. After months of treatment at Rady Children’s Hospital, he received the life-changing news he had been hoping for.

In January 2024, doctors confirmed he was cancer-free.

Now, instead of hospital visits, he’s heading to Arizona to watch his favorite team.

Families Celebrating a Special Moment

For parents, the trip represents something just as meaningful.

It’s a chance to see their children experience joy after years of medical challenges.

Marshell Gibson watched proudly as her 16-year-old son Darius prepared to leave for the trip.

Darius has lived with sickle cell anemia since infancy, a condition that has required constant care and resilience.

But this weekend is about something different.

“He should have a really good time,” Gibson said.
“He’s going with other teenagers his age, and he gets to see the Padres. It seems like a really great event.”

A Weekend Full of Baseball and Inspiration

Once in Peoria, the teens won’t simply be watching from the stands.

The group will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access during Padres spring training.

Their itinerary includes:

Meeting Padres players and coaches
Touring the ballpark facilities
Watching spring training workouts up close
Spending time together with peers who share similar medical experiences

For teenagers who have spent months or even years inside hospitals, the opportunity to step into the world of professional sports is nothing short of extraordinary.

A Partnership Making Dreams Possible

The trip was made possible thanks to Alaska Airlines, which donated roundtrip flights for patients, medical staff, and chaperones.

For the airline and hospital, the mission is simple: give these young patients a chance to create positive memories beyond their medical challenges.

Events like this are designed not only to celebrate progress but also to remind these teens that their futures hold far more than hospital visits.

More Than Just a Baseball Game

While the Padres’ spring training games will be exciting, the real impact of the trip goes deeper.

It’s about community.

It’s about courage.

And it’s about celebrating the resilience of young people who have faced battles far tougher than any baseball game.

For one weekend, hospital rooms are replaced by ballparks.

And the cheers of fans become a reminder that life — like baseball — always offers another inning.