“He’s Only Mildly Sick”—Local Parents Torn on Son Playing Through Nasty Fever

Ethan Freeman

AMERICAS, GA — Chaos erupted in the Freeman household Saturday morning as 11-year-old Ethan awoke with glassy eyes, a barking cough, and a 102° fever—just hours before his team’s first game in the “Totally Legit World Series Qualifier Invitational.”

“What if it’s just allergies?” asked Ethan’s dad, Brad, while Googling “can you play baseball with mild internal inferno.” His wife, Jess, countered with logic and common sense, citing things like “medical advice” and “not wanting to be that family.”

Despite a thermometer reading that lit up like a light saber, Brad remained optimistic. “He said he felt better after the ibuprofen.  He’ll be fine.”

Jess suggested calling the coach to pull Ethan from the lineup, prompting Brad to suggest they “wait and see if he works it out by game time.” Meanwhile, Ethan sat silently on the couch, profusely sweating while clutching a Gatorade like a wartime veteran.

By noon, a compromise was reached: Ethan would start the first two innings, but only if he didn’t vomit or pass out during warmups. As of press time, Ethan had gone 1-for-2 with a triple, one RBI, and a mild collapse in center field.

“Honestly,” said Brad, “he plays better with a fever than he does healthy.  Besides, playing through sickness and injury teaches him commitment to the things that matter.”  Reports show that the family missed church the next two Sundays claiming “exhaustion” and “a need to just be.”