From an umpire's forum...the story was on the news in Houston.
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Just want to share something with my fellow umpires from tonight’s game which I will never forget (nor my partner Doug will forget. Sorry Steve (Wise) for booking off - you missed out).
This took place during the Varsity Game at Jersey Village (vs. Cy Springs).
Before I begin, I know as umpires we are not to go out of our way to show emotion or expression, but I would like to personally thank the two varsity coaches - Robb Jensen (Jersey Village) and especially Scott Gierzak (Cy Springs) for allowing this to take place the way it did.
Ok, now the story. Doug and I just completed the JV game and preparing for the Varsity game when we notice there is a JROTC color guard, huge inflatable falcon used for players to go through and tons of parents on the field - quickly we realize it is senior night for Jersey Village and they are preparing for pregame activities.
While this is taking place, Doug and I check the equipment in both dugouts and finish at about the same time they are finishing announcing all the senior players (and manager) along with their parents. The senior players are lined up in order by their jersey number and at the end of the line is #29, the Varsity Manager - Manny Zaragoza.
For any umpire who has umpired a Jersey Village game in the past four years, Manny is the team manager who is approximately 5'3" or so and is autistic. From the get go, one cannot help but notice what Manny brings to the team. He was cheering and motivating the team from the start. Every half inning, he was down the left field line warming up the left fielder and during innings, he was in the dugout talking with players and doing what the coach needed done. I'm quite sure at times his fellow team mates have made fun of him and laughed and joked due to his demeanor and autism, but I can promise you this - they truly love their Manny and not one of them will ever forget tonight or the name of their manager - Manny Zaragoza.
Now fast forward to the top of the fifth inning. At this point in the game Jersey Village is winning their last home game of the season 9-0 against Cy Springs. Robb changes out his pitcher with an outgoing senior along with two or three other positions with outgoing seniors to allow them to play in their last home game of their high school careers.
After each pitcher strikes out (or Jersey Village gets an out), Robb changes pitchers to allow for another senior pitcher to get playing time. Now there are three outs and Robb comes to me between halves to inform me of all his changes coming in to bat.
He tells me to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning is no other than his manager – Manny Zaragoza, who has been with the team all four years and has never played in a game. From what I observed from the sidelines while Cy Springs was warming up, Manny had no idea he was about to play in his first varsity game ever. He was on the on-deck circle surrounded by every one of his team mates (who was going to tell them they all needed to be in the dugout). Everyone in the entire stands (it seems to include all the Cy Springs fans also) was cheering Manny, Manny, Manny.
Scott requested I allow him to talk to his pitcher without being charged a visit so he could let him know to pitch to Manny – which I granted (again, who was going to say no). And here we are – across the PA system…..”Now batting for your Jersey Village Falcons, Senior Manager, Manny ZZZZAAAAARRRRRRAAAAAAGGGGGGOOOOOOOZZZZZZZAAAAAAA”. The fans are going wild….MANNY, MANNY, MANNY. The dugout was going wild, MANNY, MANNY, MANNY.
Not sure, but if I would have looked over, I’m sure the Cy Springs dugout was clapping and saying Manny also. NOW THE PRESSURE IS ON. Manny gets into position in the batter’s box, batting left-handed and looks back into the stands and points with the mostest, largest, hugest grin I have ever seen on a batter.
Cy Springs pitcher #12, Juan Mata begins his wind-up and makes his pitch…..eight inches inside…..”BALL”. Mata winds-up again and released a high pitch and Manny takes a swing, makes contact….”FOUL” – foul ball in front of the press box. Again, Mata winds-up and releases, pitch coming down the middle, I see Manny begin to load on the pitch, he shifted his weight to his back leg, he raised his front leg for extra power, I see the barrel of the Demarini Voodoo Bat begin to come around….the only thing I was thinking was, “Mike, you can’t call a strike”….
.I didn’t have to worry about ever coming across that scenario – Manny hit the ball between the first and second basemen which pulled the first baseman off the bag, the pitcher quickly ran to cover first base, not in time – Manny is safe on first!!! I was hoping to see Manny run the bases also, but I can understand the pressure Robb had to face – he could not afford to let him stay in the game, not due to his autism and inexperience in base running, but time was running short and Manny had to get back to the dugout to autograph baseballs for the other senior teammates so they could all have one. Manny ended his high school varsity career batting 1.000 and was given the ball he had hit which all his team mates gladly autographed.
After serving 22 years of military service to the greatest nation in the world and knowing several of my friends who have been killed in combat or died and having attending several military funerals, I’m not sure if I teared-up as much then as I did tonight when this took place and reflecting back on it as I write this. Like serving my country, I am just glad and honored to have been part of tonight’s game and witnessing such a great display of professionalism and sportsmanship from the Cy Springs team; the Jersey Village team; Jersey Village coach, Robb Jensen for honoring his team manager (and his team) by allowing Manny to play in a game and giving not only him something to remember, but everyone who was there to witness it. And last but not least, Coach Scott Gierzak for being a part of allowing this to take place the way it did during a district game and helping Manny have a memory forever. All I can say is class act Coach Gierzak – thanks Coach!!!!
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