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w w w .in si d eH A LT O N .c o m O A K V IL LE B E A V E R T h u rs d ay , A u g u st 1 1, 2 01 1 2 4 I dont like losing, he says. It just doesnt sit well with me. Its a trait that extends beyond the field of play. It also applied to school where he maintained a 90 per cent aver- age. Some of the classes werent my favourite but I like see- ing a good number, he says. So the competitor in him did not like being told that his baseball career was over. It was pretty upsetting to hear (the surgeon) say that, Mann says. It sucks when youve done something for 14 years and then to hear you cant do it anymore. Treatments forced Mann to take a year off school The surgery wasnt the end of Manns battle with cancer. Two weeks later, he began the second half of his chemo- therapy treatments. He had to take a year off school while he underwent treatment but he received plenty of support from his teachers and friends. When he returned home after treatments, within hours his friends would come over and literally move in for days at a time, entertaining him with endless hours of video games and movies, until he went back for his next treatment. My friends were always there for me, he says. Mann knew the tag team of cancer and chemo were taking a toll on him. He lost 20 pounds, dropping to 147 pounds. He slept on the couch in the living room for weeks because it was more comfortable than a bed and closer to the essentials the TV and the kitchen. Its only now, looking back at pictures of himself from when he was undergoing treatment, that he realizes what it did to him. When you see yourself every day, you dont think you look that different, Mann says. I see pictures of myself now and its like its not even the same person. I looked terrible. Its pretty ridiculous what it does to you. Last May, he finally got some good news. He was cancer free. Now he needed something else to conquer. First game of catch wasn't easy Manns treatments had been tough on the whole family. When the treatments were over, the Manns took a family vacation to Florida. While they were there, Mann picked up his glove for the first time. He tossed the ball with his father, Richard, but it wasnt easy. With little strength in his left arm, Mann had to use his right hand to guide his left arm to catch the ball. But it was enough to make unlikely seem possible. He began working on regaining strength, working out at One Health Club, where Rudi Dosen donated not only his services but also use of the gym to assist Mann in his come- back. I dont even see him as a physiotherapist anymore, Mann says. Hes just a friend. Hes a great guy. As the summer progressed, the thought of playing again was becoming more of a reality. Richard Mann approached Oakville Little League and asked about the possibility of Alex pitching a few games in house league. He made eight appearances, pitching an inning or two per outing. It was a start. Next, they approached the PBLOs Oakville Royals about having Alex throw to one of their catchers. As they were get- ting ready, Richard Mann heard one of the coaches explain- ing the situation to the catcher, telling him to take it easy throwing the ball back. He asked the coach to treat Alex no differently. If he was going to have to throw it back carefully, then we were in the wrong place, he said. If he couldnt catch the ball, then he shouldnt be doing it. Alex, who threw 85 mph before his surgery, had his pitches clocked at 78 mph. Surgery cost Mann strength, coordination There were adjustments to be made. Mann had to work on different pitches, knowing he couldnt simply overpower opponents. His days of playing infield were also over. My coordination just isnt the same to react to balls hit at 100 mph, he says. Cancer and chemotherapy took its toll on teen ON THE SIDELINES: Alex Mann was forced to miss a year of high school at T.A. Blakelock while he underwent chemotherapy to battle cancer cells that were in the bone of his left arm. MICHELLE SIU / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Continued from page 23 I see pictures of myself now and it's like it's not even the same person. I looked terrible. It's pretty ridiculous what it does to you. Alex Mann See Safety, page 25