"Frankfort Faces" is a series that highlights people from within the Frankfort and Franklin County community. Each feature follows one of the city's most unique personalities and includes a story, photos and video, which can be found by clicking the TV icon attached to the story online at state-journal.com.

Zack stands 4 feet small at home plate, where he goes every time his team wins. The bat he holds with youthful determination is nearly as big as he is. Players and coaches stand in front of him with smiles on their faces and words of encouragement. The announcer bellows out his name " "Now batting, ZACK BOYSON" " and the crowd cheers. A coach tosses a ball underhand as Zack begins to swing...

Zack hasn't played a single inning since joining the Western Hills baseball team last year, but you won't hear mumbles and groans about his lack of playing time - just a smile as he claps his hands and yells for a teammate up to bat.

"Zack is kind of an inspiration because he sees baseball in its truest form: it's a game and it's fun," WHHS coach Craig Fry said. "He doesn't worry about stats or how am I doing or what am I doing - to him it's all about did we win the game or did we lose the game. That's the way the game is supposed to be played."

But it's more than just a great attitude and a big heart that make him different from the typical high school player.

At 17, Zack stands 4 foot 11 inches, weighing 80 pounds. To most, he looks like he might be in elementary school. More than once, an umpire has mistaken him for a young batboy. But it isn't just size that sets him apart.

Striking out
As Zack swings, he misses, and the ball falls to the ground. His teammates tell him it's okay and urge him to try again...

Born Zackary Boyson on Jan. 12, 1991, in Lexington, he came into this world under less than ideal conditions.

"When he was born the (umbilical) cord was wrapped around his neck three times," his father, Stan, said. "The cord cut off the oxygen to his brain and caused some damage."

Because of that lack of oxygen, Zack became developmentally delayed. His motor skills, speech and social and cognitive skills are well behind other children his age.

Zack's tough start didn't get any better as years passed. His mother home schooled him briefly until one day she decided to leave and never come back.

"He hasn't seen his mother in 11 years," Stan said. "I don't know where she is."

Zack continued to attend school at home in Jessamine County until he was 15, when he, his father and grandmother moved to Franklin County in 2006.

Putting it in play
The next pitch is right down the middle. Zack swings mightily and hits the ball skyward. He throws the bat haphazardly to the side and begins to run to first base, teammates following close behind...

Zack's father enrolled Zack at WHHS upon arriving in Franklin County. He was assigned to Tara Graves' class, which specializes in children with needs.

"He had a more difficult time transitioning because he had come from home school," Tara said about Zack when he first arrived. "But (the class) welcomed him with open arms. At first it was a little difficult for him to be back in a school setting. The last time he was in a school setting was in elementary (school)."

Tara said Zack often "acted sick" in order to get out of school. Then Zack expressed interest in something outside of the classroom.

Chris Long, a 1999 graduate of WHHS, played baseball for four years with the Wolverines. He is also Zack's cousin. He was a big reason Zack wanted to join the team. Zack also wears the same No. 11 jersey Chris did when he played.

"I was in class one day and his teacher, Ms. Graves, brought him down to me and said Zack wanted to play baseball," Craig said. "I said that if he is medically cleared, we'll run him out there. The doctor cleared him and he came out to preseason conditioning."

Zack showed up on his first day ready to play with glove and bat in hand. Hunter Fry, a player on the team who would later become one of Zack's favorites, recalled the team's first impression.

"We knew he had some type of disability," Hunter said. "We didn't really know how to react to be truthful in the beginning. But he came in and he was ready to go. We didn't have to do anything - he adjusted to us. He talked to us and treated us just like every day people."

Tara said that the team's initial reaction wasn't unusual when it comes to people with disabilities.

"Students with disabilities, in general, are just not socially accepted," Tara said. "People are scared a lot of times. With the baseball team, he has that social outlet that all kids need, not just kids with disabilities. He has really grown with that and he has bonded with some friends that hopefully will continue outside the school setting."

Zack didn't attend every game and practice that season, but changes in his social and scholastic skills became apparent even after that abbreviated experience.

Making the turn at second
Players crowd behind Zack as he makes his way to second base. His little legs churn as fast as they can, nearly twice as fast as his jogging teammates. He stomps hard on the bag as he makes his turn...

Being on the baseball team proved to be more beneficial than anyone ever thought it would be. Inside and outside of the classroom, Zack began to blossom into what his teacher described as a "social butterfly."

"Day by day he is more vocal toward us," Hunter said. "If you see him around school he'll come up and give you a high five and he'll carry on a conversation with you."

Zack is just as vocal on the field. Often you can hear his tiny voice over the crowd at games cheering on the Wolverines.

"You see this kid fired up in the dugout, you're ready to play for him," Hunter said. "He's up there, he's rambunctious, energetic and he's ready to go. It just kind of fires you up to see him out there yelling. It gets everybody going.

"He gets frustrated when we (play) bad just like the team (does)," Hunter added. "Every single day you see him progress socially. He's very out-going now. He's not shy."

Zack has also become more independent in the last year. His father said that he loves to cook and played softball last year with the Special Olympics and plans to do so again next this year.

With sports and extra help at home from Stan's girlfriend, Eva Mathias " who has experience with developmentally delayed children, he believes his son will continue to make progress.

"He has a wonderful heart," Stan said. "He puts everything he has of his heart into whatever he wants to do."

Rounding third
Zack pumps his arms as hard as he can as he runs for third. The intense look on his face is in stark contrast to the smiles from his teammates lagging behind as they enjoy the moment. The cheers from the crowd increase as he touches the last base and makes his way down the line toward home...

Craig said next he hopes to get Zack out on the field and actually play in a game. All his work last season and this season is aimed at that goal.

"He gets out there and runs with us," Craig said. "He comes to all the practices. He gets out there before the games and plays catch and works on fielding the ball. We try to get him a little time hitting. He does everything we ask all the other kids to do."

Zack has nothing but time. Tara said he is young and will be in school for several more years. With his continued improvement, she hopes that Zack will one day be a great asset to this community.

But for now, Zack is content just being at the game and cheering his favorite team. He stands, arms crossed over the railing, watching every play at every game with the concern of any player or coach obvious on his face.

He runs out and gets the bat after one of his teammates gets a hit. And after every home win, he gets his chance at the plate. His team gathers in front of the plate as he walks up and taps his bat on the rubber surface like he sees the other players do. One of the coaches tosses him a pitch underhanded and he takes his cuts. He may not always hit it on the first try, but eventually he makes contact and flings his bat to the side and takes off for first. The team jogs behind him from base to base, cheering him on. And as he rounds third, the crowd cheers as well, just like he was making his way around for the game-winning run.

"It means a lot to me," Zack said. "Being out there with my friends."

Watching Zack make his way around the bases, everyone knows he'll have more challenges ahead, but as he rounds third and home is within sight, he still has a long way to go. But his friends and family are right behind him, jogging along with him, cheering him on all the way.