In August 2026, Connor Reed ran out onto the diamond at the iconic Howard J. Lamade Stadium to play in his first game as a Little League Baseball® World Series participant with his fellow Metro Region teammates while his Mom and Dad were in the stands cheering him on alongside his sister Delaney, who is the reason Connor gives 100% at every game.
Four years before Connor’s World Series journey began, on March 23, 2022, the Reed family was struck with news that turned their world upside down. Delaney was diagnosed with T-ALL, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, at just four years old.
“That night was the toughest moment we had to face as a family, because we didn’t really understand or know what was going to happen or how to move forward,” said Wendy Reed, Delaney and Connor’s mother. “But we had an excellent team of doctors that set out a plan for Delaney and guided us through the path of her treatment.”
In times of uncertainty, one theme remained true – lean on your community. While Wendy focused on the health of her daughter, Kevin Reed, Delaney and Connor’s father, concentrated on doing everything he could to provide Connor with a normal childhood.
“One of the things that made life feel steady was Little League,” said Kevin. “I was coaching Connor’s minor division team, and my mind would only go back to being with my daughter and wife, but Wendy insisted that I make sure that Connor had as normal a life as possible.”
As Delaney continued her battle, the Bayonne (N.J.) Little League community stepped up to the plate by supporting Connor and Kevin at the field and by running a yellow wristband fundraiser, where all the money raised would go straight to the Reed family in support of Delaney.
“I get emotional every time I think about how league leadership and families were there for us,” said Kevin. “When things were uncertain and scary for us, we had to lean on the ones we cared about most. Going through this opened our eyes to how lucky we are, and how Bayonne is more than just a Little League program; they are our family.
The Bond That Grew from Hardship
When Delaney was first diagnosed with TALL, Wendy and Kevin made the decision to be as transparent as they could with Connor, and not hide the uphill battle that Delaney had in front of her.
“When we told Connor, he took it and ran with it,” said Wendy. “Connor was so great because his teachers and school were also feeling the weight of this news; it wasn’t just us as a family. They were just as worried about him as we were, but he wore the news like a badge of honor and was always gentle with her during the process.”
During Delaney’s treatment, one of the common effects that she was facing with chemotherapy was hair loss, and although the process could be draining, both Connor and Delaney always kept a positive attitude and even found some moments of humor. “When she first started the chemo treatments, and her hair was thinning and coming out, both Connor and Delaney could only think about how funny it was that she was going to be bald,” said Wendy. “I am sitting at the kitchen table getting upset, and they are on the couch laughing hysterically. I guess that is the beauty of being seven and four years old going through something like this. It showed how much Connor really cares about Delaney, and how it didn’t matter if she had hair or not; he was going to be there for her no matter what.”
The News of Remission
After a long battle, on July 7, 2024, Delaney was officially named cancer-free.
“It was thrilling to see her ring the bell and have family there and all the incredible doctors and nurses that have been there for her after the last two years,” said Kevin. “These last two years, we had to figure out what we needed to do to get to the next appointment. I think about all the obstacles we faced, all the hiccups, and all the uncertainty. We are so lucky that the treatments worked, and there were no real big setbacks.”
Despite all the adversity she faced, Delaney was relentless.
“She made chemotherapy look easy. Even when she really didn’t feel well, she never complained,” said Wendy.
A Little League Softball® All-Star
Once Delaney was back to full strength, and after going to plenty of Connor’s Little League games, she was ready to follow in his footsteps and bring that same competitive nature that she used to fight TALL to the softball diamond. In just her second season, just two years removed from being in remission, Delaney was officially named to her league’s softball All-Star team in 2026.
“I was just so happy for her. It is unreal how incredible a jump she made in her ability,” said Kevin. “To see the smile on her face when I told her that she was going to be on the team, and the thought of watching her on the diamond brought our family pure joy.”
Even while hospitalized, Delaney was always determined to complete a task no matter how difficult it is. Her drive to make the All-Star team was no different.
“This is the type of girl who will go and practice on her own,” said Kevin. “When she found out that she was going to be the main pitcher on her team, she immediately got to work and started whipping her windmill pitch.”
For the Reed family, it was never about Delaney winning, losing, or the way she played. It was just about seeing their little girl have a normal childhood that she deserved.
“I remember at one of the tournaments one of the fathers asking me how I remain calm during these high-pressure games,” said Kevin. “I was just looking at Delaney, and I said, ‘She was battling a few years ago; all of this is just icing on the cake.’”
Inspiring Connor’s Journey
After Delaney’s incredible season, she continued to support and inspire Connor and his Bayonne Little League teammates as they represented the Metro Region through the biggest International Tournament in youth sports.
“I love having my sister here supporting me at every game. It’s always a good time having her here,” said Connor. “She always tells me to keep going and to have fun.”