Yankees sign 10 year old to one day contract

There was a new face in the Yankees' clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Monday. Landis Sims, a ten-year-old fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing for the Yankees, suited up in an official uniform for batting practice and team workouts. Playing hooky from school, Sims boarded a plane in Indiana that touched down in Florida. Negotiated by CC Sabathia, who may have a career as an agent after his playing days are over, Sims inked a one-day deal with the club.

.@Yankees sign 10-year-old, cherish his day: https://t.co/pQ89EANimy pic.twitter.com/rOrDnUEWyr

— MLB (@MLB) March 8, 2016

Sims was born with a condition leaving him without hands and the lower half of both legs. He must use prosthetics to walk and run, and a soccer shin guard in his glove to catch.  Told he would never be able to throw a baseball, the ten year old proved doctors wrong by adapting a two-handed catapult-style.  He also uses a special device to help him hold and swing a bat. Behind the cage, Sims, Mark Teixiera, and Alex Rodriguez traded hitting advice.  Sims then went out and smacked pitch after pitch up the middle for would-be base hits. "We're giving each other hitting lessons, trying to help each other out," Rodriguez said.  After practice, they then retreated to the locker room, where Rodriguez and Sims talked more baseball.

Yankee for a day, memories for a lifetime. https://t.co/RKDVxvetUf #NYYSpring pic.twitter.com/ae9mVV0gjQ — New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 8, 2016

On Twitter, Rodriguez posted a couple of photos and called Sims a true inspiration, thanking him for his "real courage".  Clearly, it was an inspirational experience on all accounts.

So grateful that I got to spend time with Landis Sims today. A true inspiration. #RealCourage #ThankYouLandis pic.twitter.com/fpNYpz7y9P

— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) March 7, 2016