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Wolf Pack freshman dies
CHAD HARTLEY
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 4/26/2006

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PROVIDED TO THE RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL


Former Spanish Springs High pitcher is shown Steve Masten speaking to the media before signing his letter of intent last season to play baseball for the University of Nevada. Masten died Tuesday at Washoe Medical Center


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University of Nevada freshman pitcher Steve Masten died Tuesday at Washoe Medical Center, school officials said.

Masten, an 18-year-old who starred at Spanish Springs High School, was taken to the hospital Monday morning in critical condition. He died Tuesday, according to Jack Kuestermeyer, an athletic department spokesman. Kuestermeyer said the school would not release any further details.

The Washoe County Coroner's office declined comment Tuesday as to the time or cause of death, saying an investigation had not been completed. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office also declined comment.

Masten's mother, Lisa, said Tuesday evening that the family is requesting privacy at this time.

"This has been extremely tough on all of us," she said. "He had a bright future in any route he decided to take. It's an unfortunate thing that happened and we have to move on. We loved him dearly."

Masten lettered three years in baseball and two years in basketball at Spanish Springs before moving on to the University of Nevada.

"We want to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Steven Masten," Nevada athletic director Cary Groth said in a statement release by the athletic department. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. Our priority is to provide whatever support we can to his family, our student-athletes and coaching staff."

Nevada coach Gary Powers called Masten "a wonderful student-athlete with a bright future" and that "he will be deeply missed by everyone in the Wolf Pack baseball family." Powers said the team had a voluntary practice on Tuesday and all the players attended.

"Everyone was there and went through the drills we had and they did it with a lot of energy," Powers said. "The players are doing OK, as well as can be expected under the circumstances. We are not placing a lot of demands on them right now. It's hard on everyone. All of our guys knew him pretty well. Everybody has been affected by it."

The Wolf Pack's scheduled game at Saint Mary's on Tuesday was canceled Monday. Powers said the Pack's three-game series at Peccole Park against San Jose State is scheduled to be played.

Patches for the Wolf Pack uniforms honoring Masten have been ordered, Powers said. He said remembrances would be on the players' and coaches' hats this weekend and that the team will wear black wristbands in memory of Masten.

"We've been together since August," Powers said. "It's a long road together. That's one of the greatest things about team sports is that you go through things together and you become close. There is a bonding."

Masten was the Northern 4A pitcher of the year last year at Spanish Springs and signed a National Letter of Intent prior to his senior year to play at Nevada.

After going undrafted in major league baseball's amateur draft last spring, Masten followed through on his commitment to play for Nevada, which he said he wanted to do ever since he was 12 years old, according to the baseball team's media guide.

The left-handed pitcher was 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in eight appearances this season.

Masten is survived by his parents, Jeff and Lisa, and brother Anthony, 15.
Summer 2004 we played a tournament in Reno that ended with our team playing the Spanish Springs HS Team for the championship.

They were a very good team at the time.

I'm very sorry to hear that one of their players has suffered such a sad outcome. I can only say that one never knows how life can be so brutal sometimes.

We can only love our children and hope they live long a fullfilling lives.

My condolences go out to this family in the time of their grief.
Worse yet. The family will be much in need of prayers.



The Nevada Sagebrush
Sheriffs investigate UNR baseball player's death
Masten, 18, died Tuesday
By: Staff reports
Issue date: 4/25/06 Section: BREAKING NEWS

Page 1 of 1

University of Nevada, Reno freshman pitcher Steve Masten died Tuesday after suffering an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 18.

Officials haven't released a cause of death and the Washoe County Sheriff's office is still investigating the case.

He was in the Washoe Medical Center's intensive care unit until he died.

Becka Higgs, a Nye Hall resident assistant, said Monday that an Argenta Hall resident suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound off campus.

She said all of the university's RAs were informed of the incident during a Monday afternoon meeting with UNR Housing Services officials.

Later on Monday, Rita Laden, associate vice president of student services, confirmed Masten was the student.

"Steven was a wonderful student-athlete with a bright future," Nevada baseball coach Gary Powers said in a statement. "He will be deeply missed by everyone in the Wolf Pack baseball family. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family."

The Wolf Pack cancelled its scheduled road game against Saint Mary's on Tuesday.

Masten was a highly touted left-handed pitcher who joined the Wolf Pack baseball team this season after a standout career at Spanish Springs High School in Sparks.

"We want to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Steven Masten," Nevada athletic director Cary Groth said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. Our priority is to provide whatever support we can to his family, our student-athletes and coaching staff."

Washoe County Sheriff's Department deputies were at the Sparks home of Masten's parents on Monday afternoon.

Calls to the sheriff's office and to Masten's parents were not returned.

Masten last pitched on April 14 during a 13-4 loss to Hawaii.

He posted a 1-1 record this season with a 6.75 earned run average in eight appearances, including one start. He recorded 13 strikeouts in 12 innings this season.

Masten picked up his first and only collegiate victory on March 18 in a 17-10 Nevada victory against Northern Illinois. He worked 3 1/3 innings in relief to earn the victory.

At Spanish Springs, Masten led the Cougars to the 2005 Northern Nevada regional championship and an appearance in the state tournament.

He went 7-1 during his senior season high school with 80 strikeouts and a 1.42 ERA in 49 1/3 innings.

UCLA, Santa Clara and Pepperdine recruited the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder before he decided to join the Wolf Pack.

Counseling services will be available for those who need them. The Counseling Center can be reached at 784-4648.
Listen to them.....if you sense depression.....get them help.....

....yesterday a family friend, 23 years of age, killed himself. He was the driver of a car, several years ago, that hit a tree and killed one of his passangers, Monday would have been his deceased friend's 23rd birthday, on Tuesday...he took his own life......

As you pray for the Masten family, please also say a prayer for Patrick's family. Thank you
Last edited by LadyNmom
This is even more tragic now than when I read it earlier.

LadyNMom said it best ... listen to them ... not just our own, but our sons' and daughters' friends. We may be the only link to helping them if they are really depressed. Depression is a very hard thing to deal with for adults, but in teen-agers and children, it can be life-threatening.

May God bless his family and friends at this sad sad time.
I am heartsick about this. As parents, I think we feel sometimes like every young baseball player is a part of our family. I am devastated for the sadness that led him to this, for his parents, for his teammates.

I hope that we will be able to understand what happened, and carry his memory with us, and always try to be sensitive to anything we might do to help avert such a tragedy in the future.
TR:

I think you make a good point in some regards...with an issue this serious none of us should give advice or pass along information that is harmful.

With that being said, I think the collective experiences and knowledge here on the HSBBW, if shared with respect and dignity, can be of great help to our baseball family. Let's face it...we are not immune to this type of problem...perhaps in some regards we are at greater risk.

By sharing, we can be helpful to others...isn't that what this site is about?

Where are the people that are WELL VERSED in the matter?

How do you contact them?

What are the warning signs for someone in trouble?

When should we get involved?

Why should we get involved?

Who has faced a similar situation and what from that experience could be helpful to others?

You see TR...there are some good questions to ask...there is some good knowledge to learn...there are good people to offer good advice...good people can seek help, to help good people.
Last edited by gotwood4sale
got...I agree with you, 100%.

Chairman made a GREAT POINT and we should follow through with a separate thread.

No one here is representing themselves as "experts" in this kind of situation, except that we are all parents who love our children and if someone can help avoid such a tragedy, by learning something about the "problem", why can't they do so from us?

When they need professional help, then they can go to that source, too.

As I recall, there was a discussion about a month or so ago about two kids who were teammates and were being recruited by the same college. One knew that his buddy had arm problems but "so many of you" opined that he shouldn't get involved. I believe that was wrong; and, I believe a stance that you're taking, TR, is simply wrong. Kids who have had success throughout high school, oftentimes, cannot handle not playing as they had been used to in high school. Everyone recognizes that but few know how to handle it.

Parents turn to other parents more often that statistics would show. Sometimes just a casual comment while watching a baseball game.

I know I've learned a ton about baseball and life and life without baseball in the years that I've been on this site.

As I recall, too, each year we learn of a tragedy similar to this.

Why can't we as parents and baseball fans help each other to recognize and learn from someone else's experiences? After all, I'm almost an "expert" in everything imaginable, i.e., American Idol; Lithuanian culture; twins; divorce; marriage; sons and daughters (have 7 children); oil problems; having lots of money; having little money; college and financial aid; SEC and Mississippi State baseball from 1990-2006; and, on and on.

I'm off to start a new thread...if Chairman hasn't beaten me to it.
hunting and fishing; pickup trucks;
Last edited by BeenthereIL
Respectfully have to disagree with you TR. That is exactly the attitude that helps zilch. If you leave difficult conversations to "experts" then a lot of the time they go unspoken. I see nothing wrong with discussing warning signs to look for in a troubled teenager or young adult.

How many people thought that these two boys in particular might need some intervention, but decided that it would be better left up to an "expert"? When you know what to look for, and what signs may be alarming, then you can direct them to professional help if needed. Maybe an arm around their shoulder and an "I love you" would have been enough at the right time to change a mind. Not doing or saying anything is the real sin.....rather than saying something that may not be as "well versed".

LB
Chairman, Beenthere, 2010 ...

Agree with all of you 100%. We are not experts, but have a collective experience that is probably unmatched in other realms. Too often, as 2010 said, a simple response can make a world of difference. If anyone has experienced severe clinical depression ... another form of mental illness that is becoming 'okay' to talk about these days ... they understand how important that hand reaching out can be to their emotional salvation. Been there myself, experienced the pain, and owe a lot ... perhaps my own life ... to one person who reached out a comforting hand when I was 16. (To this day, I tear up when I think of the man ... my best friend's dad, God rest his soul ...)

This is a very very tough time for children and teenagers and young adults because they see so much negative in the world that, even if it doesn't affect them personally and directly, can put a palor over their lives. I remember the late '60's and the turmoil our nation was in and how that affected so many of us. Now we have sons and daughters who are athletes, sons and daughters who have talents in other areas, who experience added stress and pressure either from personal expectations or external expectations. And our children need a soft place to land when the going gets tough. And to that purpose, I think we can offer some insight into other options for people who are dealing with these kind of pressures.

If anyone can be a source of support during these trying times, I personally see nothing wrong with opening another line of talk. In the realm of things important, this is probably far more important that some of the issues that are addressed and dealt with on this site. We have moderators who can keep an eye on things and take needed action if it appears someone is "going over the line" with advice.
Last edited by FutureBack.Mom
Clinical depression is an illness. It can be controlled medically. Sufferers need to understand they are not alone and help is nearby. Parents and their kids need to be aware that the illness can be geneticly predisposed. It can run in families like other medical conditions.

People that suffer or have relatives that suffer need to make their children aware of that fact and that they may need help at some point and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Last edited by Dad04
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this young pitcher, and of Patrick, mentioned by LadyNmom. I have been crying every time I return to this thread.

Just a few weeks ago, a young man associated with my son's baseball team may have been prevented from becoming another of these tragic stories, because someone noticed warning signs and got him in touch with a professional who could help.

Out of respect, I was reluctant to post anything but words of sympathy in this tragic thread, but since we are all concerned with helping, what are the warning signs?

There are lists on many credible resources on the Web.

Warning Signs of Suicide from SAVE.org

Warning Signs from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

From the above site's FAQ page, this question and answer:

  • Q: Apart from talking to a suicidal person and encouraging him/her to go for counseling, what else can we do to prevent this?

  • A: Going with someone to the counselor often helps. If the person won't listen to you, you may need to talk to someone who might influence him or her. Saving a life is more important than violating a confidence.


Personally I would also add, teens can call one of the suicide prevention hotline 1-800 numbers to ask for advice or a referral to help a friend.

The easiest to remember is 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) from Hopeline.com


Or, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), which is also found on printable brochures and wallet cards on the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which include warning signs, what to do, etc.

Some DANGER SIGNS OF SUICIDE which were listed on more than one of the above sites:

  • Talk about suicide
  • Statements about hopelessness, helplessness or worthlessness
  • Preoccupation with death
  • Suddenly happier, calmer
  • Loss of interest in things one cares about
  • Unusual visiting or calling people one cares about
  • Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order
  • Giving things away
Last edited by MN-Mom
Simply put---none of us here , that I know of, know enough about it to offer advice of any kind.

I have a stepdaughter who has attempted it as well as a neice who attempted it twice but d a m n e d if I can or will offer advice on it.

I also have a brother in law whose sister succeeded in doing it a few years back.

I am also glad to see that so many of you are quick to judge that I am wrong--- I dont' see it that way-- I see is a topic that none of us know enough about to venture into discussion, especially on a baseball web site

Just my opinion--that does not make me right or wrong--NOT IN THE LEAST !!!!!

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