Ever since I was little, baseball has been a huge part of my life whether it was playing catch with my dad or watching the San Diego Padres. When I was five years old, my parents signed me up to play t-ball and I fell in love with baseball. I played softball until I was 10 years old and was the starting left fielder that would always cheer on my team from the outfield. In high school, I was the team manager for the softball team where my job was to give words of encouragement to players who were having a bad game.

As a kid, watching baseball with my dad in the evening was the highlight of my day. My favorite players to watch growing up were Trevor Hoffman, Adrian Gonzalez, and Clayton Richard. Throughout the season, my dad would take me to Padres games at Petco Park all of the time and we would sit in the beach area towards the outfield. Before I got the chance to sit down, one of the security guards Rich would call my name from the top of the stairs and we would play baseball trivia. Rich would always give kids baseball cards and baseballs if we answered his trivia questions correctly. Of course, I was Rich’s star at baseball trivia and have a huge collection of baseball cards from him.

Once “Hell’s Bells” came on during the 9th inning, I would get up out of my seat and start screaming as Trevor ran onto the field. I remember the entire stadium would go crazy while Trevor as warming up on the mound and the energy the fans had made the game way more enjoyable to watch. Watching Trevor in person was absolutely amazing and I was mesmerized by the way he pitched.

Petco Park has a special place in my heart because of all the wonderful memories going to baseball games with my dad that will last a lifetime. One of my favorite traditions that my dad and I have is going to Opening Day to watch the Padres game at Petco Park every year. I count down the days starting in November until April 1st for baseball season to start. On Opening Day, I feel like a kid in a candy store looking around the stadium and watching batting practice.

My passion for baseball has grown over the years since I’ve been able to experience going to Spring Training with my dad and watching Trevor Hoffman’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Growing up, Trevor was a player I looked up to because of his selfless personality. In his Hall of fame speech, he said “when ever my brothers and I would play together, I would always let them win because I loved spending time with them.” I admire players like Trevor who aren’t about themselves so when he said this, it made me love him even more. After Trevor’s Hall of Fame induction, I was finally able meet him at his meet and greet which was the best moment of my life. While meeting Trevor, I was completely star struck and couldn’t contain my excitement.

A couple months later, my dad and I were invited to spring training to watch the padres in Peoria, Arizona. When I found out I was going to Spring Training, my emotions went through the roof and was speechless. Once my dad and I arrived at Spring Training, Trevor was waiting for me over by the bullpen and he called me over to meet him. I had no idea Trevor was going to be at Spring Training so it caught me by surprise. Throughout the trip, Trevor introduced me to all the players and I was his assistant at signing autographs. My favorite players I got to meet while I was at Spring Training were Austin Hedges, Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado. When ever Eric and Austin saw me walking around the facility, they would stop and chat with me about baseball which was the highlight of my day. I had a blast meeting all the players and hanging out with Trevor made my experience at Spring Training a trip I will never forget.