Spring Trainings Youngest Fans: Marlin vs. Nationals
Shelby Jones
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JUPITER -- Catching foul balls and getting a favorite players autograph is nearly every baseball fan’s dream. Fans lined the fence near the dugout just waiting to get those special autographs at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Monday.
This was especially true for fans, Gavin, 9, and cousin Nathan, 10. They stood slightly closer to the right fielders hoping one would throw a few balls their way. Gavin has been to spring training before and now he’s showing Nathan the ropes.
Gavin and Nathan are big Washington Nationals fans. Gavin got to see the Nationals three times last year and twice this year. He has been more than happy to share the experience with his cousin.
“Our family loves baseball and all that, so they haven’t been and didn’t know anything about this,” Gavin said. “So my dad showed them that and now their here.”
Baseball is a huge deal in their family, so huge that 13 of them came down to spring training this year. From their parents, to aunts and uncles and their grandma, Mary Ann Kunst. 82, who is also a first timer.
When asked about their favorite part of spring training, the boys were both very quick to say the autographs. It was the beginning of the third inning and they already had autographs from the whole National’s team, just about.
They both say Trae Turner, shortstop for the Nationals, is there favorite player, but not their favorite autographs.
“My favorite autograph is from Trea Turner,” Gavin said.
“Mine is Adam Eaton’s, we got his in the dugout. He never signs his last name; he only signs his first name,” Nathan said.
Although, the autographs are their all-time favorite thing about spring training, it’s not the only thing. Gavin loved the Dippin’ Dots, while Nathan has loved talking to all different people and players.
For their grandma, her favorite has been seeing the players she has followed for so many years up close, and watching her grandsons.
“I enjoyed watching my grandchildren get some signings today on their balls and their hats,” Kunst said. “They do this also at Spring Fest, a hometown baseball festival, and they have numerous balls that have been signed and I have never been with them while they have done that so it’s been exciting seeing them do that now.”
Kunst and her grandsons, Gavin and Nathan, hope to come back to see their favorite team play again next year and becoming returning spring training fans, instead of first timers.
This was especially true for fans, Gavin, 9, and cousin Nathan, 10. They stood slightly closer to the right fielders hoping one would throw a few balls their way. Gavin has been to spring training before and now he’s showing Nathan the ropes.
Gavin and Nathan are big Washington Nationals fans. Gavin got to see the Nationals three times last year and twice this year. He has been more than happy to share the experience with his cousin.
“Our family loves baseball and all that, so they haven’t been and didn’t know anything about this,” Gavin said. “So my dad showed them that and now their here.”
Baseball is a huge deal in their family, so huge that 13 of them came down to spring training this year. From their parents, to aunts and uncles and their grandma, Mary Ann Kunst. 82, who is also a first timer.
When asked about their favorite part of spring training, the boys were both very quick to say the autographs. It was the beginning of the third inning and they already had autographs from the whole National’s team, just about.
They both say Trae Turner, shortstop for the Nationals, is there favorite player, but not their favorite autographs.
“My favorite autograph is from Trea Turner,” Gavin said.
“Mine is Adam Eaton’s, we got his in the dugout. He never signs his last name; he only signs his first name,” Nathan said.
Although, the autographs are their all-time favorite thing about spring training, it’s not the only thing. Gavin loved the Dippin’ Dots, while Nathan has loved talking to all different people and players.
For their grandma, her favorite has been seeing the players she has followed for so many years up close, and watching her grandsons.
“I enjoyed watching my grandchildren get some signings today on their balls and their hats,” Kunst said. “They do this also at Spring Fest, a hometown baseball festival, and they have numerous balls that have been signed and I have never been with them while they have done that so it’s been exciting seeing them do that now.”
Kunst and her grandsons, Gavin and Nathan, hope to come back to see their favorite team play again next year and becoming returning spring training fans, instead of first timers.
