Phillies' Ryan Howard Hits Home Run for Local Boy

Ryan Howard's second-inning home run in Friday's game against the Miami Marlins came at the request of A.J. Moncman, 7, a fan from Center Valley, according to a Lehigh Valley Live report.

The boy met Howard before the game as part of "Teacher Appreciation Night" festivities that included honoring A.J.'s teacher Bethann Molinari.

A.J. was diagnosed with Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA) at an early age, according to USA Today. LCA is a genetic eye disorder that primarily affects the retina and causes severe vision impairment from a young age, according to the National Institutes of Health.

A.J. met first baseman Howard before the game and gave him a bracelet.

"I told him, 'I want you to hit a home run tonight just for this,'" A.J. said, in a video aired on MLB.com. After Howard hit the home, A.J. said, "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, that's probably for me.'"

A.J. nominated Molinari as his "Teacher All-Star" in a contest sponsored by the Phillies and The Philadelphia Inquirer. A.J. has been working with Molinari since he was 4 and attending preschool, according to the Southern Lehigh School District website.

Molinari, who is employed by the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, taught A.J. how to read and write in Braille and converts his school work into Braille so that A.J. can do the same assignments as his classmates.

A.J. credits Molinari for helping him do well in school and emphasized her love for the Phillies in his nomination letter.

The Phillies won the game 4-1.