A brain tumor in 2014 robbed Peter “Keegan” Wyshosky of the chance to play competitive sports, but he’ll be the center of attention when he returns to the diamond this weekend.

The 10-year-old Lehighton Area Middle School student will be the guest of honor Sunday at the Russell “Bups” Ahner Memorial Old-Timers Softball Game in Franklin Township.The game, pitting Franklin Township old-timers against their counterparts from Jim Thorpe, is held each year to raise funds for local youth dealing with medical issues.It is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Phifer Ice Dam Park.“It’s exciting and humbling,” Keegan’s mother, Shalmar Mantz, said of her son being chosen as the game’s beneficiary.“Keegan has a real passion for sports, although he doesn’t get to play anymore. He has become a junior coach for the 100-pound football team in Lehighton and he’s just thrilled to have the opportunity to be out there at the game on Sunday.”Wyshosky was diagnosed in 2014, at the age of 8, with a brain tumor in the center of his cerebellum.At first, doctors thought it was all part of his grieving process.“Keegan lost his dad to a heart attack in 2011, and one year later his sister lost her father, my ex-husband from a previous marriage,” Shalmar said. “Keegan was getting a lot of headaches, starting around March 2013, but in August when one caused him to black out, we knew it was more than grieving.”Dr. Elizabeth Corbo, a pediatric neurologist with Lehigh Valley Hospital, saw Keegan in September 2013 and, after an MRI, diagnosed him with the brain tumor.A nine-hour surgery followed the next week along with a lengthy recovery process.“He had to be retrained how to walk and throw a ball,” Mantz said. “All of his gross motor skills were gone after the surgery. He’s currently stable, but still suffers from chronic illnesses. Every day is a struggle.”Post-surgery days were filled with bouts of depression and anxiety for Wyshosky, but he earned a reputation for above-average coping skills.Within five months, he became completely independent of his wheelchair.Keegan returned to school full time this year, and Mantz credits district and middle school staff at Lehighton for making the transition as easy as possible.According to event organizers, the game normally brings in more than $2,000 each year. The Franklin Township Athletic Association gives $1,000 to the child up front, plus the money brought in by a Chinese auction and bake sale. Jim Thorpe old-timers also make a donation, with money coming from the Jim Thorpe National Bank and anonymous patrons.Children are selected as beneficiaries in consultation with nurses at the respective schools.Wyshosky will get a ride to the field on a Franklin Township Fire Company engine.The raffle, bake sale and concession stand open at noon.