Sports are a common thing that can bring a father and a son closer together. For Kevin and Jarrod Kirsch that is definitely the case. While Jarrod is a three-sport athlete with the North Montgomery Chargers, the baseball diamond is where he excels. The past two seasons, he’s been the ace of the Charger pitching staff and after this past season which he compiled a 6-2 record to the tune of a 1.43 ERA and a struck out 88 batters. At the plate he was the Chargers leading hitter with a .378 average.
For his season Jarrod was honored with an invitation to the Futures Game Showcase which is held in conjunction with the North/South All-Star game next week. The top 60 juniors in the state are invited to the showcase which will take place next Wednesday. For Kevin he will get the honor of joining Jarrod on the field as he will umpire the showcase. The cherry on top for Kevin will also be getting to also umpire the North/South All-Star game at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette.
For the Kirsch’s it’ll be a special moment when they get to share the field.
“It’s going to be an awesome experience to watch him umpire and to get to be on the same field with him during a game,” Jarrod said. “I’m ready to see what this is going to be like because it’s an honor to be selected as one of the top 60 juniors in the state. I felt like I went out an earned it and show people that I belong with some of the best.”
Kevin on the other hand knows when he gets to be on the same field as Jarrod there might be some emotions that take place.
“I’ll have to make sure that I’m not behind the plate when he’s pitching,” Kevin said with a big laugh. “I think it’s going to be pretty emotional for sure to be able to share the field with my son that day. We try and keep our emotions in check and take care of the job at hand. We do what we do to honor the student athletes who’ve put in the hard work to get where they are.”
Joining Jarrod in the festivities next week will be fellow Charger teammate in Cade Cole who just concluded his sophomore year with the Chargers as their No. 2 pitcher behind Kirsch.
Charger coach Matt Voorhees noted how proud he is of both of his players for getting to showcase their skills among some of the state’s best players.
“To say that I am proud of Jarrod and Cade would be an understatement,” Voorhees said of his players. “These two young men are starting to understand how athletics translate into the purpose of life. Hard work, character, and integrity are foundations in both. To see these qualities spreading through our program is awesome and is in part to the leadership of guys like Jarrod and Cade. On behalf of our staff we wish them both all the best in the Showcase.”
Both Jarrod and Cade will get to represent the Chargers which is something Kirsch isn’t taking lightly.
“This experience is going to be one that I’m never going to forget,” the junior hurler said. “It’s going to be a good feeling to be able to represent my team along with Cade and our school and the community as a whole. “
For Kevin to get to umpire both games, he was asked by the Lafayette Jeff athletic director and he instantly said yes.
“It was very humbling to be asked to help umpire one of the best events that our state offers,” Kevin added. “Only a few select guys get the chance to umpire this series. I’m looking forward to seeing the best seniors the state of Indiana has to offer. Most of these guys are going to be on their way to college and some have the chance to be drafted. To do this is quite an honor for sure.”
For both Cole and Kirsch playing in this futures game sets the stage for their chance to impress other coaches and even scouts that will be in attendance. For Jarrod specifically heading into his senior year the next step is getting to play in the coveted North/South All-Star game.
“Being in this showcase will just give me the fuel and desire to try and be back here next year,” Jarrod said. “That’s the next step is be selected for the North/South All-Star game and be an All-State selection.”
While Kevin tries to keep the ‘dad’ part out while watching his son play, the opportunity for his son to get to experience this showcase is not only a pay off for all of his hard work, but a reward for the talented player he’s become.
“To have him be selected as one of the top 60 juniors in the state, as a father I couldn’t be more happy for him,” Kevin said. “His work ethic off the field is something special and he’s been able to play with upper level talent being a part of Post 72 this summer. All of this is only going to make him better for what we all hope is a special senior year.”
