Cubs in playoffs? 'Lock it up,' says Sugar Grove honorary batboy

Going to your first Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field is exciting for any child. But to also be an honorary batboy?

The huge smile on Charlie Krupka reflects how awesome the Sept. 3 experience was for the Sugar Grove boy.

It was "supersonically fun!" he said.

Charlie, 9, received the privilege because he is a "graduate" of the neonatal intensive care unit at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Advocate Health System arranges such visits as a way of giving back to its patients, their families and the community, according to a news release.

Good Sam grad

His mother, Tracy, was only 25 weeks pregnant when she suffered a placental abruption, and Charlie was delivered. He spent more than three months in the NICU, and suffered many medical complications during that time, including two times when he bled in his brain.

The brain bleeds caused Charlie to develop cerebral palsy.

Charlie, who is in the fourth grade at Kaneland John Shields Elementary School in Sugar Grove, uses a walker and a wheelchair to get around.

Special day

He attended the game with his parents; his brother Henry, 6; an aunt; and his grandmother.

"The Cubs experience was just amazing for all of us," Tracy Krupka said. She also praised Advocate Good Samaritan. "They are special, special angels. We are just so grateful. The relationship you grow and build in the NICU, it is a special relationship."

Charlie and Henry went on to the field to the on-deck circle, where they met players including pitcher Travis Wood and right fielder Jorge Soler. Then they watched the game from seats behind home plate, and ate peanuts, Cracker Jack and hot dogs. Their visit was announced to the crowd.

"I'm already famous and a celebrity!" exclaimed the 9-year-old. "They said our name on the big screen!"

Everyone was "super-duper nice," Charlie said.

And he emphasized that there were other children honored at the game that day. "It was kids of all abilities," he said.

The only black mark for the day was that the Cubs lost, to the San Francisco Giants.

His future

"I'm a Chicago fan," Charlie said, when asked what he liked best, the White Sox or the Cubs. He also follows the Chicago Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks football, basketball and hockey teams. (Henry, on the other hand, proudly cited his allegiance to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Pistons and the Tampa Bay Lightning.)

Charlie is inspired by White Sox television play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti, who also has cerebral palsy. He wants to be a sports announcer when he grows up. Charlie is practicing already, announcing the games played at recess on the playground at school.

Playoff prediction

When I interviewed Charlie, the Cubs magic number to clinch a spot in the playoffs was 10. I asked Charlie what will happen.

"They're going to lock it up. They are securely in," he said. "Lock it up. Lock it up."

He knows the history of the team, and that it hadn't won a World Series since 1908. It is going to win this one, Charlie believes.

"I really do. And that's all I can say about it," he said, emphatically.