Omaha a lasting memory for Connor Seabold of his late mother, Erin Brown

Many college baseball teams look to Omaha as the promised land, the place where dreams can come true, as it is the site of the College World Series.

The site has a different meaning for Connor Seabold and his family.

With little energy and her body withering, Seabold’s mother, Erin Brown, made the trip to TD Ameritrade Park in June to see her son pitch for Cal State Fullerton. At the time, no one really knew this would be the final big trip for Brown as cancer continued to take over her body. She died Aug. 9. This Monday would have been her 46th birthday.

“It was just great to have her there,” said Seabold, 19, a former Newport Harbor High standout who noticed his mother was weak during the baseball games. “I really didn’t know at the time what the situation was. But knowing now that was one of her final experiences it was pretty special. I’m just so glad that she got to see that.”

Brown’s death deeply saddened Seabold and his two younger brothers, Cade, 16, and Carson, 11, who live in Newport Beach and attend Newport Harbor and Mariners Elementary, respectively.

Family, friends and baseball teammates of Connor at Cal State Fullerton, and of Cade at Newport Harbor filled the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Aug. 20. A standing-room-only crowd attended to pay their respects and show their support to the boys, as well as their father, Kirk Seabold.

“It was a really amazing experience,” Kirk Seabold said of Brown’s trip to Omaha to see her oldest son pitch. “It’s very fortunate that Erin got to do that. I told Connor, ‘You gave your mom one of the best gifts you can possibly give.’ The culmination of Omaha and everything the team accomplished, it was a huge payoff. It was difficult for her physically but it helped. As tough as she was she battled through it.”

Connor kept that Omaha memory and other cherished times with his mother on his mind during the memorial. He and his brothers were comforted by all those who attended, as well as other extended family.

Connor, who was selected in the 19th round by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, said he has been grateful for Cal State Fullerton and the Titans baseball team for their extraordinary support.

“My teammates are my brothers,” said Connor, who was second on the team with 76 strikeouts and had a 3.26 earned-run average in 69 innings pitched. “The program has been very supportive. The athletic department has been very supportive.”

Connor remembers his mother for her support, among many of her great traits. She always did her best to attend his games, he said. She was also a valued booster for Newport Harbor.

Brown displayed a genuine love and zest for life during her battle with cancer. She enjoyed birthday parties and other celebrations as best she could.

“She was passionate about her boys,” said Brown’s mother, Terry. “Everything that they are doing today is because of her. She knew that they all loved baseball. She instilled that passion in them.”

Terry is hoping and expecting that time will heal the pain the family is experiencing. Erin Brown had a friendly smile and a great, full laugh, many say. They miss her.

“It’s getting better,” Terry Brown said of the emotions. “I know that Erin would have wanted everyone to be happy and live their lives. My husband and I have a responsibility to make sure those boys are happy.”

Terry knows how loved Erin and her boys are by so many and that they would all want to help in some way. So, a fund, “Erin Brown’s Memorial Fund,” has been established at the YouCaring website for the boys’ future education.

Erin Brown fought hard for her life, taking on various treatments and drugs in her attempt to beat the cancer. In June, she became methodical about the future and continued to love her boys with all her love, Terry Brown said. Terry Brown believed her daughter knew she was in the final stages of her life.

Terry Brown and Kirk Seabold were extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.

“That was really neat to see,” Kirk Seabold said of the baseball players who attended the memorial. “That’s an extended family for the boys,. For them to have that support is awesome. With Connor being at Fullerton and them being there, they are all just great kids. You get to know them over time. His coaches were there too. They really do care about those kids. It is really a family. Baseball is such a big part of the [three] boys’ lives. To have that support, and from the community in general, it’s been amazing. That helps get them through their day to day. We’re fortunate to have that.”