Benito Herrera and his little brother Kevin are a mentor/youth match from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico. They were guests of Pacific Coast League Umpire Jon Merry for the baseball game between the Fresno Grizzlies and Albuquerque Isotopes at Isotopes Park on Saturday, July 29th. Pictured (L-R) are Benito, Jon, and Kevin.

It didn't look good for the Isotopes who trailed 3-0 heading into the 9th. Then the bats came alive! In the end, the Isotope's Jason Woods hit his second ninth-inning walk-off single in three days capping a four-run Albuquerque ninth sending the Isotopes (as well as Benito and Kevin) home with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Fresno Grizzlies.

Shortly after the game, Benito e-mailed the following to us:

"Attached are a few photos from the Isotopes game Kevin and I were treated to by Umpire Jon Merry. This was the first professional baseball game Kevin ever attended and Mr. Merry really made it special.

Before the game, I told Kevin we were going to meet the umpire but I don't think he knew what that meant; however, after we met Jon and got to walk out onto the field, Kevin became thrilled and couldn't stop talking about it.

Besides the Isotopes' jersey and hat from Mr. Merry, Kevin walked away with some great memories. This experience really made an impression on both Kevin and I.

Thank you very much to all who were involved, especially Umpire Jon Merry."

Benito, Jon Merry and BLUE for Kids thank you for volunteering your time and energy for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Your making a difference to Kevin each and every time you meet.

Thanks is also in order to Louis Garcia, Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico, for setting up your match. We look forward to many future opportunities with your organization.

If you live in the Albuquerque, NM area and would like to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit their local website at www.bbbs-cnm.org or the national BBBS website at www.bbbs.org.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director | BLUE for Kids