At a Thursday business special before the game at Great American Ball Park, kids and adults line the seats near first base, calling for autographs from players like Todd Frazier, Zack Cozart and Brandon Phillips. But there’s another guy in the park giving autographs. On the 4th level near section 520, people come looking for Teddy Kremer. “Hey Teddy, can we get a picture with ya,? I love it. Ive seen you on TV a few times. Do you give autographs? Yes.”
Teddy first received notoriety after being the Reds honorary batboy last August. His parents had won the opportunity in a benefit auction. Teddy earned fan and media attention because of his positive attitude and unbridled enthusiasm. And this season the Reds offered him a job in fan accommodations. Teddy’s mom, Cheryl says its hard to estimate how many people have heard about her son but there’s been correspondence from as far away as Malaysia, Australia and Europe.
“You hear of people, that, oh, you know, I have a friend who has a child who has Down Syndrome and they are inspired or they really like to see what Teddy can do and how much he’s been able to accomplish,” Says Cheryl Kremer. When Teddy was born 30 years ago, Cheryl says the medical profession didn’t offer a positive prognosis. But, with the help of their pediatrician, she and husband Dave followed a plan that has not only helped Teddy thrive but succeed. And now, she says, they’re proud that Teddy has inspired so many people. “It came at a good time. People needed an uplifting story about people that can succeed. No matter what the disability, no matter how hard you may think you have it. You can overcome a lot,” Says Cheryl Kremer.
Since his first appearance on the field, Teddy has been honorary bat boy three times. Hes ridden in the Opening Day Parade, signed autographs with the team and now works for the organization. Teddy says there’s really only one way to describe how much he likes all of it. “Awesome, awesome I love it so much, I love it,” Teddy Kremer says. Away from the ballpark, Teddy is also an accomplished athlete.
He plays softball and has medals for swimming. He’s a competitive horseback rider and a champion ballroom dancer. Teddy is also sought out by groups as a guest speaker and displays a witty sense of humor. During a recent talk, a man asked Teddy if he’d be interested in being bat boy for a different team. “He said to me, would you be a bat boy for Milwaukee. I said..um..next question please,” says Teddy.
Teddy is the reason Chris Kalla, of Lima, Ohio, brought his 4-year-old daughter to the ballpark after hearing about Teddy in the newspapers and on TV. “We thought it would be great to have Jenny meet somebody who also has Down Syndrome and see that she can do whatever she wants when she grows up,” Says Kalla. Teddy’s presence has been good for the players as well. At an April game against the Marlins, he asked Reds third baseman Todd Frazier to hit a home run.
“And I said let’s go, let’s go let’s do it and in the bottom of the 6th inning he did it,” says Teddy. That night, Fox Sports Ohio cameras spent a lot of time focused on Teddy and more fans got inspired.
