Stony Brook University’s baseball team has a new member and this player has set the record for the youngest Seawolf ever.
The team welcomed 5-year-old Jordan Marotta to the ball club this past week. Marotta is the youngest-ever recipient of a cutting-edge bionic arm.
Head coach Matt Senk said “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Jordan Marotta to our baseball family. Jordan embodies all the qualities we look for in a Stony Brook teammate — he’s positive, enthusiastic, selfless, fearless, and fun-loving. He’s truly an inspiration to our entire program, and we are incredibly lucky to have him as a Seawolf!”
Jordan joins the Seawolves through a partnership with Team IMPACT, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children facing serious illnesses and disabilities by connecting them with college athletic teams.
Jordan went through all of the motions that any player would before selecting his destination and then he signed his letter of intent at the Stony Brook Athletics Complex. Surrounded by his family, new teammates, Stony Brook baseball staff, and members of the athletic department, Jordan became part of the team.
The honor is not just a paper declaration either. Jordan is an official part of the team and will have a huge contribution in games, practices and events.
Jordan is from Dix Hills and was born without his left hand. He recently became the youngest recipient of a customized hero arm designed to resemble his favorite superhero, Iron Man. This groundbreaking prosthetic, developed by Open Bionics, uses special sensors to detect muscle contractions, transforming them into bionic hand movements. The prosthetic seamlessly attaches and detaches, enabling him to tackle new challenges with confidence.
“It is truly a special opportunity for us to have Jordan join our stony Brook family,” said junior Eddie Smink. “He is a strong, brave, remarkable kid that always brings his joy and love for the game everyday. The impact of him and his story has truly changed our team for the better.”
Team IMPACT’s innovative, multi-year program has matched more than 3,000 children with college athletic teams nationwide, fostering connections that promote socialization, empowerment and resilience. Since its founding in 2011, Team IMPACT has partnered with over 700 colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes.