# Padres sign wheelchair-bound pitcher. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 9, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher/717271 "2015-04-09T23:19:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher/717271/1 "2015-04-09T23:19:45Z")
Just as they have for the last [twenty years](http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/04/san-diego-padres-matt-lachappa-contract-mlb). > [@](#): > > The professional baseball world can be a cold and ruthless place, especially for players who never make good on their big-league dreams. Good for the Padres for taking care of one of their own so long after his pitching days are over. Original _Orange County Register_ [article from 2005, updated in 2013.](http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lachappa-98759-says-padres.html?page=1) In 1996, preparing to enter a Class A minor league game, Matt LaChappa suffered a heart attack while warming up in the bullpen. Ever since, the Padres have signed him to a contract, not only providing him with a basic income but more importantly, access to health care insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher/717271/2 "2015-04-10T15:39:42Z")
Aren’t there limits on how many players you can have signed, so that this act of compassion means that they can’t sign some other player who actually plays? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher/717271/3 "2015-04-10T15:48:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Aren’t there limits on how many players you can have signed, so that this act of compassion means that they can’t sign some other player who actually plays? Minor league contract. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher/717271/4 "2015-04-10T18:25:02Z")
I assume he’s also always on the DL, so he doesn’t count against roster space. It’s a very classy move on the Padres’ part. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher/717271/5 "2015-04-10T18:28:08Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I assume he’s also always on the DL, so he doesn’t count against roster space. > > It’s a very classy move on the Padres’ part. The article makes no mention that he ever pitched in the majors though he was their top prospect at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher/717271/6 "2015-04-12T03:37:52Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Just as they have for the last [twenty years](http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/04/san-diego-padres-matt-lachappa-contract-mlb). > > Original _Orange County Register_ [article from 2005, updated in 2013.](http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lachappa-98759-says-padres.html?page=1) > > In 1996, preparing to enter a Class A minor league game, Matt LaChappa suffered a heart attack while warming up in the bullpen. > > Ever since, the Padres have signed him to a contract, not only providing him with a basic income but more importantly, access to health care insurance. Excellent story; thanks for sharing those links, **running coach**.