Arizona Diamondbacks players visit Phoenix Children’s Hospital

PHOENIX — It’s been a rough season on the field for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but for some patients at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, they may as well be World Series contenders.

Outfielders David Peralta and Ender Inciarte, along with pitcher Chase Anderson and catcher Tuffy Gosewisch, spent part of their Tuesday morning making room-to-room visits and interacting with kids in the hospital’s Child Life Zone.

Peralta, one of the bright spots for the D-backs this season, spent several minutes playing air hockey with Owen Densmore, who’s expected to spend several weeks in the hospital with a serious knee condition.

“(Owen) thought that was pretty awesome,” said Owen’s mom, Dawn, adding Peralta is her son’s favorite D-back. “We’ve been here a while so it’s a much needed break.”

Peralta knows how uplifting it can be for kids to meet a Major Leaguer.

“It means a lot for them. When I was a kid I remember meeting big league players and thinking, ‘Whoa, I want to be like them!’ So it makes me feel really good.”

Anderson, another D-back rookie enjoying a decent season, said he feels some of these kids’ pain after spending two weeks in the hospital as a young boy.

“I had pneumonia when I was 5 years old, so I know how it is to be in the hospital,” he said. “It’s not fun. You just want to make the kids smile, and do anything you can to make their day.”

Both Peralta and Anderson noted that community events help put some perspective on the importance of wins and losses on the diamond.