By admin 
ROCKWELL, N.C. (WJZY) — A Rowan County teenager is on the “base-path” to recovery after his heart suddenly stopped during a baseball game.
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Bryson Blanton’s family, friends and team gathered at his home field Wednesday night to offer prayers and support — and be “Bryson Strong.”
Family members say tests done earlier in the day are encouraging and showing positive results.
One of Bryson’s baseball coaches re-lived what he believes were a few of his best plays during a Saturday game.
“That boy comes out next, ball is hit to him… sliding play… catches it, three outs, run doesn’t score,” he recalls. “He’s on deck. JZ gets on base, boy — one pitch, second pitch, caps that… Like, great hit. I’m on first base, ‘get there, get there, get there,’ that boy hustled his butt off.”
It was just moments before Bryon suffered a cardiac arrest while rounding second base during the game in Charlotte. His parents are thanking the off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer who ran in to perform CPR — saving their son.
“My heart sank in my cause it was like he was one of my own just like the rest of those kids,” said his former 8/9-under baseball coach Dusty Safrit. “When we spend time out here on the field, we really, really connect.”
Bryson’s community put together small decals that say “Bryson Strong” — another way the community is coming together to raise money for the family as Bryson continues to recover and medical bills mount.
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Safrit was joined by Bryson’s family, friends, teammates and coaches between the lines to celebrate as the teen recovers.
Safrit helped organize the vigil, saying they know Bryson could feel their energy.
“I often tell the players, during the game, during practice, positive energy is contagious, that it really can affect the outcome of not just the game but life in general,” Safrit said. “Everything you do. If you put positive energy into it, then you can have a bigger effect than you realize.”
There was even more energy after the prayer — with a surprise facetime visit from Bryson.
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“You don’t realize how many people you meet along the way playing ball,” said his grandmother, Reta Parson.
“Every time you talk to him, he’s moving his hands or speak, letting us know he’s here in this he years… He hears us, that’s for sure,” his father, Randy Blanton, said.
“He has zero brain damage from the off-duty CMPD officer that reacted as quickly as he did, his lungs are filled up, all of his vital organs are completely back to normal, healed. Now we’re just waiting on the big test, which is tonight and tomorrow,” his father said.
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