Aledmys Díaz wears mismatched batting gloves in support of her son with autism

The Cuban major leaguer Aledmys Diaz has begun using mismatched batting mitts this season in support of his son Nathan, diagnosed with autism.

“I use two different batting gloves as a message: we have to accept people as they are and try to help them adapt to society,” Díaz said in interview for the Bruce Bolt brand website, which makes the gloves.

“Normally, a child with autism, people don't realize they're different. "We have to create an environment where people accept this behavior, because sometimes they can't process things like other children," he added.

The new gloves utility Villa Clara, one red and one blue, they attract even more attention in contrast to the green and gold of their new team's uniform. Oakland Athletics, where the Cuban has ended up after becoming champion with the Houston Astros last season.

In the extensive interview, Díaz tells how he and his wife realized that their son had special needs.

“He didn't like being around other kids too much. He wasn't engaging in a conversation. When going to parks, he didn't like being around too many children. And it was like 'OK, maybe we should investigate what's going on,'” he said.

For the man from Villa Clara, his son's condition has implied learning and understanding the difference.

“As parents, we first have to accept it. I would say that's the hardest thing to do, accept the diagnosis. And then realizing that every child is different,” he said.

“It doesn't change anything (…) It was something to understand why we have to give him more tools to enjoy life and learn and behave. I would say that it was the first step to really help him,” the Cuban Major Leaguer deepened.

Thanks to the help from the Astros leadersNathan, who has made notable progress since his diagnosis, will remain in Houston this year integrated into a program with other autistic students.

Aledmys believes that, although this year he will not integrate into school yet, soon he will be able to interact with other children.

“I would say in the next year, year and a half, he'll be able to be around all the kids and behave and learn. So that's what this preschool is doing for him," he said.

Although being separated from family is difficult for Díaz, he has had the support of his new organization during this new adventure in Oakland.

“I have the support of the Oakland Athletics. You want to be in a place where people love you. They know what you bring to the table. And when I went into free agency, they were the first team to step up and talk to me about myself and my family. And I'm grateful to be here, in this city. “I can have that impact on the field and off the field and, so far, everything is good here,” he said.

April is Autism Awareness Month in the US. In this way, Bruce Bolt, the brand that manufactures Díaz's gloves, during this first week of the month will make a donation for each glove sold to an autism support foundation. In addition to the Cuban, Corey Dickerson of the Nationals will also wear mismatched gloves this week.