July 31, 2002 is a day Ron Roberts will never forget.

While attending a Provo Angels baseball game with his girlfriend, Ron was hit with a foul ball.

"It hurt really bad," Roberts said. "I never saw it coming."

Roberts, who has been legally blind since birth, attends all BYU basketball and baseball games as well as Provo Angels games.

Roberts, 37, grew up outside Bakersfield, Calif. As a child, he had two loves: sports and music.

"The only time I don't go to the game is when I have to go to Salt Lake to play (piano)," Roberts said.

Roberts plays the piano at the Conference Center, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Nordstrom's at the University Mall in Orem.

He began playing the piano at age 8. Roberts said he took a few lessons, but is mainly self-taught.

"I play by sound since I have a hard time reading music," Roberts said.

Some of his favorite pieces to play come from musicals such as Les Miserables and The Music Man.

Roberts said he considers himself normal, and the only thing he can't do is drive.

"I feel blessed," Roberts said. "I'm a normal guy. I can walk and talk, just like anybody else. If I need help, I ask for it."

Roberts said he is frustrated the Angels games aren't broadcast on the radio this year.

"This is the first year without it, and I would like to get updates when I can't be there," he said.

Roberts said his vision is good enough to follow part of the action at games.

"I can see some things," he said. "I can see the players and most of the time the ball, except that time it hit me. Both my girlfriend and I lost it for a minute."

Roberts isn't a passive fan; he cheers loudly.

"When it's a close game, I try to get the crowd into it," he said. "They're too quiet."

Roberts said if it weren't for the Angels and BYU, he wouldn't be a fan.

"They're so easy to get to," he said. "If they weren't here, I wouldn't go to anything probably."

Roberts said he also likes to include physical activity in his daily routine.

"I like to go running in the mornings when it's nice and cool," he said.

Roberts said he will continue to be a fan as long as he is able to attend games.

"I hope I never act as old as I am," he said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 28 Jul 2003