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Lyndhurst Native's Homecoming Surprise For Son Will Melt Your Heart

Ryan Batista was at bat during a Bloomingdale Little League game when a pitching change was announced.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Steve Batista surprises son Ryan, 8, during a little league baseball game in Bloomingdale.

Photo Credit: Jillian Batista

Focused and zoned in, it took a moment for the 8-year-old to notice who was walking toward the mound.

But when the youngster saw it was his dad, Lyndhurst native Steve Batista -- a U.S. Marine who had been on deployment in Afghanistan last September -- nothing mattered more than being in his arms.

"It was a very emotional day," said Ryan's mom and Steve's wife Jillian Batista, who picked the staff sergeant up at Picatinny Arsenal before high-tailing it to the game. 

"So happy everything worked out and all the Marines made it back safely to their families."

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