10/18/2023
The Yakima Valley Nighthawk family would like to thank a few people for making Monday October 16th, 2023 a day that our boys will never forget.
First off let me take you on a journey that our Nighthawk family has endured over the last year. We started a New Baseball club here in Yakima in October 2022. We were made up of a 11U and 13U travel baseball teams. In this special journey I will be talking about the 13U team.
It was October 2022 and we started practicing preparing for the 2023 spring and summer tournaments. We practiced 2-3 times a week for a couple hours each day. These boys got to know each other and the bonding began. We made plans to take a team picture for our banner in early February. Every kid was notified of the picture day but one. We were missing Rogelio "Uri" (pronounced U-Dee) Mendez-Benitez. We texted them, we tried calling them, we even asked if any of the boys had seen Uri at school. Nobody had seen nor heard from them. Coach Justin placed a call to the parents and they finally answered. Coach advised the parents that we were taking the team picture later that day and wanted to make sure Uri was in it. Uri's mom told Justin that Uri would not be at the picture and would not be playing baseball this year. She went on to tell Justin that they were in Seattle at Children's Hospital and Uri was diagnosed with Leukemia. This was a devastating blow to not only us as coaches, but to his teammates, now brothers. We did our best to explain to them what Leukemia was and let them know that Uri was at the best place possible and the doctors there would take care of him. We went ahead and took the picture without him. Before we left the field we as a family gathered around and started praying for our child. We made the banner and added a Orange ribbon to honor Uri. We also had a patch made that the boys wore on their jerseys. This season was played for Uri. We shared our journey with other teams that were playing in the tournaments and a few asked if they could pray with us for Uri. Uri's parents kept us updated on his status throughout the season. From good days to ICU, Uri was always with us.
Let me give you the run down of Monday October 16th, 2023.
On Monday October 16th, 2023 the Yakima Valley Nighthawks, now 14U baseball team, finally got to spend some time with their brother. During this visit myself and Justin retired #15 Jersey. This Jersey will never be worn by anyone in our baseball club. (The only exception to this is if his younger brother or brothers want to wear it.) As we were telling Uri that his number is retired a guy walked in to see Uri and his Nighthawk brothers. Julio Rodriguez, center fielder of the Seattle Mariners, entered the room and the faces on these boy's was priceless. What a huge surprise for all of the Nighthawk boys. We were blessed to be able to share pizza, spend time, and play games with our boy. In closing, we ask that whoever reads this please take a moment and say a prayer for our Nighthawk family.
Special thanks to the following:
THE LORD ABOVE
Justin and Deniz Benscoter
Travis Piatz
Josh and Susy White elk
Amanda Torres
Seattle Children's Hospital Staff
The Seattle Mariners
The amazing Julio Rodriguez
Julio you are now part of our Yakima Valley Nighthawks family. Wear Uri's shirt with all of our 14U signatures on it. You are a blessing and a great role model for our Nighthawk Family.
GO MARINERS!!!!
Yakima Valley Nighthawks
2023
