Late Little Leaguer 'Dreamt Of Bigger Things': Dad

LONG BEACH, NY — As Lazar LaPenna ran to first base on April 29, no one could imagine what would happen next. The 10-year-old died after collapsing from an epileptic seizure during his Little League game.

For the LaPenna family, these two weeks since have been a confusing, emotional time. But tributes pouring in for the fourth-grader from Long Island, out of state and other countries, have provided a "virtual hug."

"It's overwhelming. It's a moment of happiness," his father Gregg LaPenna told Patch. "Obviously, followed up by many tears."

LaPenna said Lazar, who attended the East Elementary School, would have loved being honored in so many ways, including children wearing their baseball uniforms to school on May 9. LaPenna wore the number 9.

"I'd love to respond to so many [of] the Facebook tributes, but I just can't get enough courage up inside me right now," he said.

Lazar, who turned 10 two days before his death, was a huge Mets and Jets fan. The football team sent the surviving brothers (aged 7 and 11) an autographed jersey of quarterback Zach Wilson and an invite to a game next season.

The oldest son is a Giants fan and got a video message from running back Saquon Barkley.

"It's really touching," LaPenna said.

He said the siblings have their moments without Lazar, but "nighttime is terrible."

Like Lazar, his brothers are active. The 11-year-old plays in the Long Beach/Lido Beach Little League. They also both take part in lacrosse and Catholic Youth Organization volleyball.

"It helped them get through this as much as possible," LaPenna said.

An online petition is seeking to honor Lazar by renaming the ball field in Point Lookout for him.

"That would be beautiful," he said. "It would be a place for me to go."

The annual Toys for Tots event will do something in LaPenna's name for a local charity, the Christmas Angel.

Another legacy: His father Gregg expects to get involved in epilepsy awareness for Lazar, who suffered from the illness for a few years.

Lazar was living seizure-free for a year, and prior to that he dealt with multiple seizures in school, LaPenna said.

"He knew he had obstacles, knew his condition and always dreamt of bigger things," LaPenna said. [Lazar was] "such a nice boy to everybody."