Last May, the Pocket Little League community in Sacramento received the devastating news that 11-year-old Pocket Little League player Isaiah Fleming passed away in his sleep from sudden cardiac arrest.
The news rocked the community and all who knew him on the baseball diamond.
"The coaches, parents and board were uniquely motivated to make sure they would be prepared to protect their players, coaches, staff and visitors. It was a priority," said Heather Houston, a Pocket Little League parent. She also happens to be a UC Davis Health cardiovascular research nurse who led the effort to obtain an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the league.
Last fall, Houston contacted two organizations focused on preventing sudden cardiac arrest in youth. First, she got in touch with Project ADAM Sacramento coordinator Rebecca McCormac, who connected her to the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation. Within a month, the Kyle J. Foundation approved her paperwork for the AED. In preparation for the upcoming baseball season, Project ADAM Sacramento then provided CPR and AED training for all coaches and created a cardiac emergency plan.
On opening day, Pocket Little League received the unique distinction of being named the first Heart Safe Youth Sports Program by Project ADAM Sacramento. Houston accepted the new AED and certificate on behalf of Pocket Little League.
Under a state law known as the Navaeh Youth Sports Safety Act, all California youth sports organizations will soon be mandated to provide access to an AED at all games and practices. By Jan. 1, 2027, all coaches must be certified in CPR and AED use, and have a comprehensive emergency response plan in place.
"The Pocket Little League is a model example of what can be done in a short amount of time, with Project ADAM Sacramento's help," McCormac said.
McCormac wants to help more youth sports programs become heart safe, in addition to the work she does supporting and training schools and school districts to be better prepared for cardiac emergencies.
"The response from parents, coaches and the community has been so positive. We have seen how much this means to people. Everyone has been so engaged and actively participating in these efforts," Houston said.
Project ADAM Sacramento is committed to helping schools implement and sustain a CPR and AED program so they can handle cardiac emergencies and save lives. Project ADAM Sacramento was established at UC Davis Children's Hospital in 2015 and was the first California affiliate of Project ADAM.
Pocket Little League is based in South Sacramento's Pocket neighborhood, west of Interstate 5. The league supports more than 300 players from as young as age 4 through middle school.
