Five-year-old Hailey Dawson throws out first pitch with Orioles-themed robotic hand

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  Josh Land

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  August 18, 2015 5:04 pm

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The stage was set for five-year-old Hailey Dawson. She set in the infield grass at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, her brother Zach Dawson by her side. Her favorite player Manny Machado stood by home plate, glove in hand, ready to catch Hailey’s ceremonial first pitch.

Hailey was born with Poland syndrome, a disease in which affected individuals are born with missing or abnormal muscles on one side of the chest wall, and many affected are born with abnormalities of the hand, which may involve…

The stage was set for five-year-old Hailey Dawson. She set in the infield grass at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, her brother Zach Dawson by her side. Her favorite player Manny Machado stood by home plate, glove in hand, ready to catch Hailey’s ceremonial first pitch.

Hailey was born with Poland syndrome, a disease in which affected individuals are born with missing or abnormal muscles on one side of the chest wall, and many affected are born with abnormalities of the hand, which may involve shortened or partially fused fingers. Because of this, Hailey was born with an underdeveloped right hand.

While Hailey wanted to play baseball, she was unable to until her mother, Yong Dawson, turned to University of Nevada, Las Vegas engineering students to create a 3-D printed hand for Hailey.

During her day at the ballpark, her hand was even signed by Machado and other Orioles.

After stopping by the MASNsports.com web studio for a very candid interview, Hailey went down to the field to throw out the first pitch.

“Ladies and gentlemen …” Orioles public address announcer Ryan Wagner began. “Tonight, with some assistance from her Orioles-themed robotic hand, she is here to throw out tonight’s ceremonial pitch, with her right hand!”

While the Orioles went on to complete a four-game sweep of the A’s, the fans in Birdland may have let out their loudest cheer of the night for Hailey before the game even began.

See pictures and videos of her day below. For more, like MASN Orioles on Facebook and follow @masnOrioles on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. You can also follow Hailey’s journey on Instagram: @haileys_hand

For Hailey’s full backstory, check out this article on MASN.