10-year-old plays in baseball game for first time since suffering cardiac arrest on field

PUEBLO, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) - Ten-year-old Zaedyn Montoya is back playing his favorite sport after a terrifying medical incident a few months ago.

Zaedyn had just finished practicing baseball when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.

He was diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly, a heart defect, when he was born. His father said nothing like that had ever happened before.

Thankfully, a few parents who were at the practice were able to revive Zaedyn. He was in the hospital for a month and was released in late February.

Since his hospital release, Zaedyn was anxiously waiting for the day he could step on the field again.

When he found out last week he was cleared to play, Zaedyn’s family was excited, but also nervous.

Despite their nerves, Zaedyn’s parents were ultimately happy their son was back to playing the sport he’s so passionate about.

Zaedyn’s father, Owen Montoya, said ahead of the big game on Thursday, he was happy to see his son doing what brings him so much joy.

“He gets to start living again. He’s gone so long with doctor’s appointments and tests and everything. Now, he gets a start being a boy again,” Owen Montoya explained.

Zaedyn also talked about how he was feeling before the game.

“I’m just happy to play the game that I love again and I’m not scared because at least I get to play again,” Zaedyn stated.

Zaedyn’s team, the PC Indians, won in his first game back. He even got to cross home plate.

“Seeing myself like three months ago, how I was just in a hospital bed just sitting there hoping to play baseball again, not being able to do anything,” Zaedyn described after the game. “Be grateful. I’m happy that I got to play again because, like I said, there was a moment in time that us, as a family, we didn’t know if I could play again.”

His mother, Chelsie Montoya, spoke about how proud she is of her son.

“He’s an amazing kid all around. He shows all of us what it’s like to have to fight harder for every moment you live for,” Chelsie Montoya said. “If I fall down, I look to him. He’s a fighter inside, outside. He climbs every mountain with a smile on his face.”

A GoFundMe was set up by Zaedyn’s family to help with medical expenses.

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