West End's Biggest Fan

By Stan Hudy

CLIFTON PARK – Williamsport, Pennsylvania resident Pat Ruane has two very special sons this week at the 13-15-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Clifton Park.

His 15-year-old Sean is competing with the West End baseball team playing on the field and his older son, Evan, watches every game that the Williamsport team competes in.

Without a doubt, Evan Ruane is West End’s biggest fan.

Stricken with cerebral palsy, Evan Ruane, is confined to a wheelchair and sits outside the fence, cheering on his brother and his teammates.

“I’m excited,” Evan Ruane said about being in Clifton Park. “I’m their good luck charm.”

The 22-year-old cheers the West End squad at each game, provides words of encouragement as well as greets them after every game. His smile and his laugh are infectious to the entire team.

“With Evan, even if you lose a game by five runs, five minutes later you’re laughing and joking with him,” Pat Ruane said. 

The Williamsport team isn’t complete until without Evan Ruane.

“He’s our No. 1 fan,” West End manager Dave Cipriani said. “A fan in the truest sense, no criticisms, just support for us each game.”

Just as West End earned a trip to Clifton Park after capturing the Middle Atlantic Regional Tournament in State College, Pennsylvania, so did Evan Ruane.

“When we made it (World Series) we asked if he was coming up,” Andy Gotshall said. “We wouldn’t be able to hear him in the stands cheering for us.”

While Evan Ruane has been unable to join his brother on the field, he has been a student of the game.

“Evan is probably the reason why Sean is so into sports,” Pat Ruane said. “He has always watched sports on TV and Sean would watch right along with Evan.”

The West End inspiration isn’t limited to baseball.

“He likes to go to all high school sports events,” Pat Ruane said. “He keeps cheering Sean, since he got started playing sports.”

The 22-year-old also considers himself a bit of a ladies man.

“Do you like my hair?” Evan says as he lifts his West End baseball cap to reveal a revealing crew cut. His 21st birthday dinner location..“Hooters.”

Evan Ruane has the ability to lighten everyone’s mood, even when asked who his favorite baseball player on West End was.

“Nick Zegarski,” Ruane said. “I like his swagger and his determination to the ball and his hustle.”

Evan Ruane is not afraid to point out tips to the West End squad.

“He’s tough,” Sean Ruane said. “He gives advice…hits and runs.”

Like any set of brothers, the younger sibling learns from the older.

“Sean is a little more mature,” Pat Ruane said. “He has had to deal with things. He has seen what Evan has to go through.”

Those things have even included stays in the hospital.

“It makes some things seem trivial,” Pat Ruane said. “He sees what is important and what is not.”

Evan Ruane’s passion is evident, cheering each hit and put out of the West End squad.

“He loves this so much,” Pat Ruane said. “I think he appreciates the fact that he is here more than the boys on the field.”

With a victory this afternoon over Greenville, North Carolina, Evan Ruane can continue to cheer on his younger brother, Sean, in the single elimination bracket play beginning Wednesday.