Father keeping a promise to son to 'never miss a baseball game' despite entering hospice

A father diagnosed with cancer left hospice Thursday to spend the evening making final memories with his family on a baseball diamond in Tampa.

Family and friends surrounded Steve Uhal and his wife Amy with love and support as he arrived to see his 9-year-old son Charlie play one last game.

Steve Uhal watching Charlie play baseball.

Steve Uhal watching Charlie play baseball.

"Today was supposed to be just a traditional practice, but today they all recognized the importance, especially to Charlie and to Steve," said Tom Perron, Steve’s father-in-law and Amy’s stepfather. 

Steve Uhals diagnosis

The backstory:

In September, the Uhals said Steve was diagnosed with testicular cancer that spread to other organs. 

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"We’ve had a rough five months, and he battles so hard," said Amy. 

Steve and Amy Uhal watching Charlie play baseball.

Steve and Amy Uhal watching Charlie play baseball.

She added that they’ve been in and out of the hospital about every three weeks, and they are now on limited time. 

"We came home yesterday with the final word that hospice had to come in," said Amy.

Steve’s promise

Dig deeper:

That did not stop Steve from keeping a promise to his son Charlie. 

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"I told him I’d never miss a baseball game by being sick," said Steve. 

He was able to watch live streams of the game on the family’s tablet.

Amy Uhal with husband Steve Uhal.

Amy Uhal with husband Steve Uhal.

"So, when we were in the hospital, and we weren’t able to be there, my parents were able to be at the game. We were able to watch him and could hear him," said Amy. 

Steve’s support system

Steve and Amy Uhal surrounded by family and friends at Charlie's baseball game.

Steve and Amy Uhal were surrounded by family and friends at Charlie's baseball game.

On Thursday, dozens of people showed up for the Uhal family and Steve, taking photos and hugging it out with tears in between. 

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"A lot of the folks here, not only are they friends that I’ve accumulated throughout the years, (but) also just being family, brothers in arms," said Steve.

Steve has been a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy for about 20 years, serving on the SWAT team and, most recently, as a school resource officer at Stewart Middle School. 

Steve Uhal.

Steve Uhal.

"Over the last six months, the sheriff’s office has just been tremendously awesome to Steve and Amy, supporting them with food, with visits," said Perron.

Steve’s message to Charlie

Big picture view:

Steve said he’s so proud of Charlie. 

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"I was a pitcher and first baseman, so I don’t know where the catching came from. But he’s excelling at it, I feel," Steve said. 

Charlie playing baseball.

Charlie playing baseball.

The weight of time is pushing on, however.

"My biggest fear, you know, is Charlie living his life without his daddy next to him and not seeing his daddy in the stands," said Amy. 

So, as Steve continues to watch on, he hopes Charlie takes one thing with him to the diamond:

"I won’t be anywhere. I’ll be right there. It’s all I can do for him is be right there for him every day of the week," said Steve.

The Source: FOX 13's Briona Arradondo collected the information in this story.

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