JOHNSON COUNTY, KS (KCTV) -
The Kansas City area was inspired by Nate Muehe's story.
Now the whole world can be, thanks to a Nike commercial he's starring in that is airing during the Olympics.
KCTV5's Brad Fanning profiled Nate a year ago. He turned 13 years old last month and will enter the eighth grade next month.
Some youth baseball coaches refused to let Nate play on their team even though he can reach 60 mph on the radar gun.
But he's proved them wrong. He may have just one arm, but the sixth grader is excelling as a pitcher in Johnson County. He's also a dynamo as center fielder and first baseman.
Nate knows why some other coaches passed on him. He's not embarrassed or ashamed or insecure. It's a way of life for him, what he calls his "disability."
One of Nate's arms was stunted when he was born.
A representative for Dan Bell Casting in Los Angeles saw KCTV5's story on Nate on KCTV5.com and contacted Fanning. The company was casting athletes for the Nike commercial "and thought Nate would be right for this project."
KCTV5 helped put the company in touch with Nate and his family. Nate eagerly agreed to do the commercial.
Nate's excited mother, Christine Muehe, shared the links to the commercials in an email to Fanning this week.
"All I can say is we've been waiting on pins and needles for this day," she said. "The commercials for TV will air this Friday evening during the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. Be on the look out for him!"
Nate is appearing in two commercials. One is a longer one that involves a number of children and athletes from around the world. Click here to see it.
The second one is a 15-second commercial that stars Nate alone. Click here to see it.
To read previous coverage, click here.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
