CLEVELAND -- Children and families at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday received a group of unexpected visitors when the MLB umpires officiating the Cleveland Indians-Minnesota Twins series arrived as a part of the MLB UMPS CARE Charities program.
The umps -- including Jeff Nelson, Laz Diaz, Roberto Ortiz and Cory Blaser -- offered words of encouragement, as well as Build-A-Bear stuffed animals to kids and families dealing with serious illnesses. Patients were able to choose bears from a collection of pre-stuffed animals, as well as clothing, including some wearing Indians' t-shirts.
UMPS CARE Charities is a a non-profit organization founded by MLB Umpires aimed at enriching "the lives of at-risk youth and children coping with serious illness." Wednesday marked their 154th hospital visit and fourth of 16 scheduled this season since the program first began in 2006.
For more information, check out www.UmpsCare.com.