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April 3, 2019
LOCAL OFFICIATING has to be PURE & SIMPLE
April 4, 2019
First pitch was still about 90 minutes away last Tuesday at Harold Haydel Park and Calvin Buxton Field — the gorgeous new facility the Vandebilt Catholic baseball team calls home.
But eighth grader Cruz Cassard was already ready to roll — fully engaged and ready for the game of the day.
The South Lafourche Tarpons were visiting the Terriers on that night and opening pitch was set for 6 p.m.
As radio crews lumbered into the press box, Cruz offered his services for the day.
“Welcome to our stadium guys,” he said. “If you need anything, please let me know.”
His words aren’t just lip service. This youngster means it.
His passion for baseball runs deep — it’s in his blood.
Cruz is the son of Vandebilt baseball coach Gee Cassard. Since his dad took over the program a few seasons ago, he’s grown up watching the Terriers — literally.
For the past several years, he’s asissted in gameday baseball operations for the team, helping in the press box for home games — keeping the scoreboard or whatever else is needed on a given day.
On the road, Cruz helps keep stats or works the book.
Cruz is now a student at Vandebilt. He said he loves the school and his classmates are great.
When asked his favorite part? Well, of course, the answer comes back to baseball.
“I can just walk to baseball now,” he said. “Before, I wouldn’t be on campus, so I’d have to come back here and sometimes I’d be a little late or getting here right when the game was starting. Now, it’s just a short walk. I get to be there for everything. I can’t complain.”
Cruz’s passion for the sport comes from his father — no doubt.
Gee Cassard landed with Vandebilt after accumulating coaching experience at the college ranks.
For as long as Cruz has been born, he’s been at ballparks watching and studying the game.
But does Cruz, himself, aspire to be a coach?
Well, maybe not exactly.
Gee Cassard said that Cruz’s interests are more in the numbers of the game, which could spark a future career for the boy later in life if he continues to chase it.
“He wants to be a general manager,” Gee Cassard said. “He’s big into studying the numbers. He enjoys the analytics and that part of the game. It’s amazing to see the time he puts into it.”
Up in the press-box, Cruz is asked if he has a favorite professional baseball team, promptly responding that he’s a fan of the Chicago Cubs.
After a little small talk about the pro game, the conversation shifts back to Vandebilt.
Two Saturdays ago, Vandebilt beat South Lafourche decisively and Terriers pitcher Josh Shelly was lights out on the mound — tossing a complete game in the win.
Cruz was asked if Shelly was the team’s ace pitcher as the two clubs warmed up before the game last Tuesday.
After a pause, he answered — well, sort of.
“I’m not going to answer that,” he said with a laugh. “I think we have a few guys who can be our No. 1 pitcher. It just depends on the day and the game.”
He was right.
The Terriers won last Tuesday and are on a roll. They’re 6-0 in district play at press-time.
As we left that night, the courtesy still remained.
“Good luck the rest of the season,” he said, while unplugging the scoreboard he’d operated throughout the game.
Until next time, ol’ friend!
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