Othello 13-year-old baseball player catching eyes nationally

OTHELLO — It’s that time of the year when youngsters all across the country turn to football. Not Nathan Garza Jr. of Othello. He’s still playing baseball.

With good reason.

Garza is right where a lot of today’s major leaguers were as 13-year-olds, in the national conversation of top players. He returned recently from a trip to Ft. Myers, Fla., where the team for which he played – Midwest – won the Perfect Game national title.

Midwest had seven players from Kansas, two from Nebraska, two from Ohio and Garza and Gabriel deJesus from the Yakima Dirt Dogs. Midwest defeated Texas in the semifinals and North Carolina in the final of the week-long tournament.

The title game was extra special for Garza, who was the designated hitter. It was played on the same field where his favorite big league team – Boston – plays in spring training.

Garza did not get a hit in the 3-2 victory, but he advanced a runner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. He was the standout player in one of preliminary games, and he played in every game.

Garza and deJesus made the Midwest team without a tryout. Their coach in Yakima recommended them highly, and the Midwest coach took them on his word.

Upon getting home, Garza received the following:

“Congratulations! You have been selected to play in Baseball Northwest’s 6th annual Junior Northwest Championship Tournament for the classes 2020-2021.”

That tournament was played last weekend at Centralia. Garza, who tried out with 150 other candidates, was a member of the Washington East team as an infielder-outfielder.

“Following the team meeting, you will participate in a pro-style workout and athletic testing. Players are strongly encouraged to attend the recruiting seminar scheduled for that Thursday evening as well.”

What that means is that Garza is among the 13-year-olds who will likely play college ball or pro ball after high school.

Interestingly, Garza isn’t thinking that far ahead. His grandfather Adan Garza Jr., who flew with him to Florida, said he doesn’t speak of major league dreams. Neither does the family.

“If he could play college ball and get an education for free, that would be success to us,” grandpa said.

Grandpa said the Midwest coach complimented him on his grandson’s skills. But he was most pleased when the coach said what he liked most was the grandson’s character.

It should be no surprise that Garza is making noise in the baseball world. Adan’s nephew Sonny Garza played at San Jose State and is now the Othello High School coach. Another of Adan’s nephews, David, is the shortstop at Tennessee Tech.

When you walk into the garage portion of the family-owned Main Stop service station on Main Street, you run into a batting cage with a 90 MPH pitching machine. That’s where Nathan and the rest of his generation of Garzas learn to hit.

No, Nathan will not play football this fall. He will play baseball in a Tri-Cities wooden bat league.