Thousands of Young Sluggers Take Field in 7-Year-Old's Memory

Tournament held in memory of boy who died after contracting parasite in river

Thousands of young baseball players from across North Texas will take the field in memory of Kyle Lewis this weekend.

The 7-year-old from Mansfield died nearly two years ago after contracting a deadly parasite from a swim in a North Texas river.

Friday marked the start of a three-day celebration of Kyle's life, filled with family, friends and his favorite sport -- baseball.

“Every day is just as painful as the last," said his father, Jeremy Lewis. "Losing a child is something you don't want anybody to go through."

Lewis organized the first Kyle Lewis Memorial Tournament at the Mansfield Sports Complex.

“It’s all about the kids," said Kevin Lewis, president of the Mansfield Youth Baseball Association."[We] really focused this week on making it about the kids and remembering the good times that Kyle had."

More than 2,000 kids are expected to participate.

“He is upstairs, without a doubt watching this whole thing and loving every minute of it,” Lewis said.

Kyle became infected by the waterborne Naegleria fowleri while swimming with his family in the Paluxy River in August 2010. His parents have formed the Kyle Lewis Amoeba Awareness Foundation to help spread awareness of the amoeba.

The Kyle Lewis memorial tournament continues throughout the weekend at the Mansfield Sports Complex. Several Texas Rangers alumni are expected to make appearances.

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