There are all sorts of topics up for discussion in the locker rooms and around the batting cages of major-league baseball.
Over the course of the 2005 season, Matthew LeCroy was often the cause of much banter. True, the former Trapper of the Year created a great deal of the buzz with his penchant for unsightly dancing and on a few occasions for the long drives he'd smoke out of ballparks. But on many afternoons, LeCroy was sought out by fellow Minnesota Twins, players from other teams and even a good number of fans who were curious about adoption.
Nearly 16 months ago, LeCroy, who spent a season and a half with the Edmonton Trappers and was the club's top slugger in 2001, and his wife Holly became parents for the first time when they received Isabella from a young mother in their native South Carolina.
INUNDATED BY REQUESTS
Since then, both have been inundated by requests for details on how they handled the procedure went as well as a great many calls of support for their decision.
"People have been calling us, guys on other teams, a few of the other Twins," said LeCroy, who played a partial role in leading the Trappers to the 2002 PCL title in a season of call-ups between here and Minnesota.
"There's a lot of work that goes into it, a whole lot of paperwork, but it's well worth it. We enjoyed it and we've encouraged people to do it.
"It all started in spring training, and by the end of it we were called to tell us that the birth mother had picked us. Having Isabella has been amazing. I had no idea it was going to be this great."
"One of Matthew's teammates has asked us a lot about it," said Holly. "A lot of fans have told us what it's meant to them because they were adopted or they have adopted their children. Anyone who's been interested, we've told them all it's been wonderful."
There are, however, hurdles to overcome on the way to a successful adoption - not the least of which is evident by the number of Hollywood stars who've become parents this way. The financial side of the issue is a major concern.
"It is the biggest thing," admitted LeCroy. "Honestly, most people cannot afford it. Ours was on the cheaper side and it was between $15,000 and $25,000 (US). It's really too bad the federal government doesn't give adoptive parents a tax break. More people would do it, and there are so many kids that need a home."
The process of the LeCroys getting Isabella went so smoothly that even they can't believe the limited number of hiccups leading up to the day she came home. But the couple did have their share of disappointments along the way. While there was never a threat that the birth mother might back out of the deal, they did lose out on the chance to secure a boy from Russia when changes to the rules in international options there ended that plan.
NEW ARRIVAL IN FEBRUARY
Soon after, though, the couple learned they'd become parents again. After years of failed attempts, Holly is pregnant and Isabella will have a brother/sister in early February.
"It's different, not because I'm excited but because I don't have to worry at the same time about someone changing their mind," said Holly. "But I wouldn't want to change anything. Even though we're having our own baby, I couldn't imagine not having had the chance to bring Isabella home."
Proud pop feels exactly the same.
"It's been so awesome. Our families have learned so much about adoption," added Matthew. "They all know that she was handpicked, so that makes her a little different. Sometimes you might worry that (an adopted child) wouldn't treated as an equal, but both families have been so good and she's treated just like she came from Holly."
Just after getting the good news, the LeCroys were informed that they were in line again for another adoption - young brothers near Seattle who had been neglected by their family.
"We really wanted those boys," offered Holly. "They really needed a family, but it was just at that time that we found out I was pregnant, so a newborn, a three- and a four-year-old and Isabella would have been too much. But I'm still broken-hearted over that."
As soon as Isabella and the little one on the way are settled in, the LeCroys expect to get into the adoption game again.
"We will definitely pursue it. I think we'd like two more," said Matthew.
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PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES WHO ADOPTED CHILDREN
Babe Ruth, Dan Marino, Kirby Puckett, Magic Johnson, Willie Mays
ATHLETES WHO WERE ADOPTED
Greg Louganis, Scott Hamilton, Dan O'Brien
