WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Durham Bulls Set Up Fund to Help Manager's Son

Jan 10, 2008

January is a time when the magic words in baseball - "Pitchers and catchers report" - are only a few weeks away.

But Durham Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo has much more than that on his mind. His newborn son, Alexander, was born with Ebsteins Anomaly, a heart defect in which the tricuspid valve is abnormally formed. Alexander hasn't left the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles since he was born on Oct. 17.

Alexander's treatment has been a colossal expense for the Montoyo family. So Thursday, the Durham Bulls activated the Montoyo Family Fund. The Bulls will match, dollar for dollar up to $10,000, the monies given to help the Montoyos pay for Alexander's care.

"Charlie and his family are going through an unimaginable experience as they watch Alexander fight for his life every day," Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said. "I know the Durham Bulls extended family will help us alleviate some of the financial pressure Alexander's treatment is requiring."

The fund will be open until Feb. 14. To donate, fans can go to www.durhambulls.com and click on the Montoyo Family Fund link or call (919) 687-6555.