Ten-year-old Erik Pedersen spent Saturday night the way most kids only dream about: in the Wrigley Field dugout during batting practice, wearing a custom Chicago Cubs jersey, with a baseball in hand for players to sign. For Erik, who receives weekly chemotherapy treatments for a rare childhood cancer, the night marked his very first game at Wrigley Field, and he got to experience it as the team's honorary bat kid.
Erik was diagnosed with stage 1 rhabdomyosarcoma, according to CBS News Chicago, and now faces frequent appointments, tests and procedures as part of his treatment. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare form of childhood cancer, and Erik has a few more treatments ahead of him before he can ring the bell marking the end of his care. Advocate Children's Hospital has provided care for Erik throughout his cancer treatment.
On the night of Erik's appearance, the Cubs had reason to celebrate on the field too. The team defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 during Erik's honorary bat kid appearance. Erik and his family were on hand for the matchup against the Pirates, soaking in exclusive on-field access and time in the dugout during batting practice.
A Day Built Around Normalcy
Erik met Cubs players, was recognized on the video board, and got to be a kid enjoying a sport he loves rather than a patient managing a diagnosis. His mother, Christine, said getting to see Erik have a day filled with excitement and something he loves means so much, and she expressed gratitude to both Advocate Children's Hospital and the Cubs for making it possible. Baseball, for Erik, offers a sense of normalcy amid a schedule dominated by weekly chemotherapy and medical visits.
Erik's turn as bat kid gave him an opportunity to enjoy a Cubs game during his cancer treatment.
A Partnership Years in the Making
Erik's appearance included dugout access, signed memorabilia and on-field presence, giving his family a chance to experience Wrigley Field together. His family thanked Advocate Children's Hospital and the Cubs for making the experience possible.
The Cubs also have a “Cubs for a Cure” initiative. In May 2026, the Chicago Cubs, Advocate Health Care, AbbVie and Audacy held a multiday fundraising push that included a 24-hour radiothon on 104.3 The Score, according to MLB.com. Major League Baseball announced this month that Cubs Charities committed $140,000 from those fundraising proceeds directly to organizations serving pediatric cancer patients, timed to the league's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month recognitions in September.
Understanding Erik's Diagnosis
Rhabdomyosarcoma remains rare even within pediatric oncology. According to the American Cancer Society, it is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children, yet only about 350 to 400 new pediatric cases are diagnosed annually across the entire United States. The embryonal subtype is the most common form of the disease, more than half of cases occur in children younger than 10, and the disease is slightly more common in boys than girls.
The prognosis for rhabdomyosarcoma can be encouraging, although it varies by the details of each case. Advocate Children's Hospital is part of Erik's care.
For now, Erik has a few more rounds of treatment ahead before he can ring the ceremonial bell that marks the end of active therapy. But for one night at Wrigley Field, surrounded by teammates, memorabilia and the crowd noise of a Cubs win, he got to just be a kid at the ballpark.
