SOMERS, Wis. – The Parkside baseball team grew its team roster on Thursday evening, as the Rangers signed 12-year old Leo Montemurro to the team, a Kenosha native who has been battling brain cancer since he was just 3-years old.
 
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"We're excited to add somebody with so much character and enthusiasm for the game," head coach Daniel Esposito said. "He's living life to the fullest every day and he's a great example of how people should live their lives."
 
Leo was diagnosed with stage four metastatic medulloblastoma in September of 2009.  He required two brain surgeries, 31 rounds of radiation, one year of chemotherapy, 2.5 years of a feeding tube, two cataract surgeries, and endless PT/OT/ST to learn to walk, talk, and eat again, but Leo can always brighten the entire room up with his big smile.
 
"Our team will benefit from Leo by seeing a champion in life and someone who has been through the toughest of times and has come out the other side with the most incredible positive attitude," Esposito said. "He's got such a passion for baseball and life and it'll be great to spend time with him over the next few years and get to know him even more."
 
Baseball is Leo's passion and he has no problem sharing his love for the Chicago Cubs and first baseman Anthony Rizzo especially.  He's done the Challenger Little League for three years and local recreational softball for two years.
 
The Rangers presented Leo with a No. 7 jersey, a hat and a schedule poster signed by the entire Parkside team. After the signing, the team took Leo down to the practice area where he played some catch and took a few swings in the batting cages.