CEDAR RAPIDS - Ballpark franks and the thrill of baseball action draw crowds to Kernels' games. But there was a much different reason to attend Friday night's game.

Baseball fans were in for a big surprise at Friday night's game, they heard the success story of one man who isn't supposed to be alive.

Doctors say he's lucky, Bill Pitzen wasn't supposed to make it. "They had a home, a nursing home picked out for me, I was all but gone."

Last August, Bill suffered two strokes and spent weeks in a hospital bed motionless.

Bill's brother Mike told KCRG-TV9 News, "We really just had to go hour by hour, day by day, any little progress better than the day before."

But bill's family didn't expect this kind of progress. The thirty-four-year-old gets around on his own two feet. "Everyone knows me, knows I'm stubborn, I'm sure my brother agrees." And yes, Bill's brother Mike agrees.

But they both know stubbornness is the reason he's rounding the bases where the kernels play. The team is honoring his success. "If I fall on my face, i'll be the first one to laugh."

Don't worry, Bill's practice run went smoothly. Much like his closer relationship with his brother. "We spend a lot more time together."

But mike's not the only support he's thankful for. "I met some really great people....." And made some new friends. This horrible experience has given him a new outlook on life. "Iit's probably made me a lot better person, as funny as that may seem."

Bill says he's going to slow down a bit, and take time to enjoy things.