Picture a small boy, 7 years old to be exact, standing on the pitchers mound for the first time with no training, no experience, but a heart full of joy as he is about throw his first pitch. Then picture, the small boy delivering the pitch on two prosthetic legs. It may be hard to fathom but the little boy was Central Florida Wolverines’ 16U pitcher, Anthony Burruto, playing little league baseball in Long Island, New York. 

Burruto was born missing the tibia and fibula bones in both of his legs, resulting in amputation.  Receiving his first prosthesis as an infant, Burruto took his first steps on manufactured legs at a year old.   His baseball journey began as a child playing little league, elevated to the competitive field of Florida Travel Ball, and transgressed to its current state as a pitcher for the Dr. Phillips High School Junior Varsity team.

Playing through adversity has helped Burruto learn about life and about himself.  “Playing baseball has helped me build the confidence to believe in myself, as far as I know I am the only kid in the country playing with two prosthetic legs.  I know I can achieve anything I put my mind to with what the Lord has given me,” he continues,  “I remember hitting 3 grand slams, 6 homeruns, and having the opportunity to play on a major league baseball field through USSSA, but making the high school team has to be my most accomplished and proud moment of playing baseball.”  Burruto had been cut from the high school summer squad so going into this fall he was going to have to work extra hard to reach his goal of making the JV team.  The confident Anthony Burruto knew he would have to push himself a little more to compete at the next level.  That extra push was what he needed to reach his goal of playing high school baseball.     

Presently, Burruto has appeared in a majority of his high school JV games this fall, and with good reason, he is one of the most popular players in Florida Travel Ball.  He is an inspiration to the people around him and the players he competes against on a weekly basis.  Fellow teammates would do anything for him because of the respect they have for his ability, not his disability.  He contributes much of his success to his teammates and family. “At Dr. Phillips little league there was an agreement that teams would not bunt against me. Making the transition to USSSA I knew I would be relying on my teammates to help me out. They have all stepped up, they cover bunts, charge home on pass balls, basically help field my position, but most of all they encourage me to keep my head up and play at the level I am capable of playing at,” Burruto says.  His family support and influence has had a major impact on his life on and off the field.  He is confident, ambitious, determined, and has a great attitude towards life.  He remarks, “My parents are my support system. They have supported me the whole way. Anything I ever wanted to do they have encouraged me to do it. Never tried to hold me back, always pushed me forward.  Without their support, I probably would have never believed I could play baseball.”   Not only can Burruto play baseball, he excels.  He has graced the cover of ESPN Magazine, and is a true hero to people across the country.  This young athlete’s heart is bigger than any adversity that challenges him every time he steps on the diamond. 

FTB Staff Writer