Plainfield Schools Staffer Sings Anthem At Brewers Game As Son Battling Cancer Aims To Visit Every MLB Park

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield School District 202's IT data support specialist has sung the national anthem at sporting events more than 150 times, but his performance in August at a Milwaukee Brewers game was extra meaningful.

In this instance, he sang "The Star Spangled Banner" for 38,000 fans in the stands, one of them who was his son, Ramiro, who is battling cancer, the district said in a news release.

Ramiro has a goal to visit all Major Baseball League parks, and when Compton's wife said it would be cool if he could sing the national anthem when his son was also at the ballpark, Compton got to work.

In April, Compton sent emails and called the management at five ballparks, including Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Progressive Field in Cleveland, Comerica Park in Detroit and Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, officials said.

Not even 48 hours later, Compton received a call from the Brewers. By that afternoon, he was scheduled to sing at the Aug. 6 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

When the day came, Ramiro stood behind his dad near the stands, and Compton's sister and niece screamed when he finished singing.

"My son said 'awesome' when I walked off," Compton said, per the release.

For years, Compton previously managed the music and sound effects, as well as sang the anthem, for the Joliet Jackhammers, now the Slammers. He has also sung for the national anthem for the Windy City Thunderbolts.

He's been singing since he was a kid, beginning in the car with his family, district officials said. He also sang in the high school choir and in Madrigals.

"It makes the rest of the world go away for a while," Compton said.