Baseball for Babies benefit kicks off this weekend

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Baseball for Babies is taking place this weekend at Reckling Park at Rice University before the big baseball game.

It's an annual event that benefits Texas Children's NICU. It's the story behind the event that continues draw more attention each year.

"When you first start having babies you think you're going to get pregnant, have a baby, move on with your life, and everything's great," said Vincent Sinisi, a Rice alum.

But for high school sweethearts Vincent and Erin Sinisi that wasn't the case.

" Our first born Mackenzie Reese Sinisi was born at 28 weeks, she was one pound 4.5 ounces," said Erin Sinisi.

Mackenzie was born with necrotizing tricolitis, an illness many premature babies get that takes over their colons and intestines.

" When I go that phone call that day it was very emotional, almost like you didn't believe it," said Vincent.

Vincent was a graduate of Rice University and a member of the 2003 College World Series Champions. He was playing minor league baseball at the time of his first born's death.  But, soon after an injury ended his baseball career, he and his wife as well as his sister, started the  Baseball for Babies event that has taken place over the past three years.  Money raised for the event goes to Texas Children's NICU.

"It would be great one day to have no deaths of premature babies or any babies in general," said Vincent. "Because we've somewhat found a cure or some way to treat it."

But the Sinisi's said the event has another purpose as well.

"It's been a big success in the fact that it helps people with their grieving process. Every year we're hoping the more money we raise, the less people we're seeing at those ceremonies."

The event take place this weekend at Reckling Park at 2 PM.