Chris Guccione has worked a World Series, an All-Star Game, the World Baseball Classic and the last nine Major League Baseball postseasons. He’s logged thousands of miles in the minors. Over the last two decades of calling balls and strikes, he’s seen a little bit of everything.
But he’s never seen anything like what Josh Cordova went through at Westgate Elementary School two weeks ago.
“This is my state, this is where my heart is,” the longtime MLB umpire and Salida native told The Denver Post. “So when I saw the incident that happened, I was concerned. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is in my backyard.’ ”
His heart went out to Cordova, the 13-year-old who was umpiring a Bear Creek Junior Sports Association baseball game in Lakewood on June 15 where a brawl broke out among the adults in attendance. Video footage of the scrum almost immediately went viral, and Lakewood police subsequently issued citations for disorderly conduct to a dozen spectators, ranging in ages from 24 to 55, who were reportedly involved in the skirmish.
“So I was sickened, really. I couldn’t believe this happened,” Guccione said. “It is embarrassing. It’s a 7-year-old game with a 13-year-old umpire? Come on.”
Umps have to stick together, and Guccione was so moved by Cordova’s composure under the circumstances that he invited the teen and his family to be his guests at the Rockies-Dodgers game Sunday at Coors Field.
“I’m excited to meet Josh at the ballpark and see him and his family in person,” said Guccione, who provided five tickets for Josh, his parents and siblings and will be working the contest. “It’s not only about him, it’s about the kids — they were affected, and we can’t forget them and their parents. It was just an unfortunate situation.”
UMPS CARE charities, the MLB umpires non-profit that provides financial and emotional support for youth and families in need, is handling the logistics. The Rockies got on board, too, providing a parking pass for the Cordovas.
Guccione reached out to the Cordovas, who were grateful for the gesture. He’s grateful that Josh is continuing to umpire with Bear Creek, despite having already survived one of the worst nightmares — at any level — that an umpiring crew can endure.
“They’re happy they’re able to come out and come to the game and hang out and just enjoy the day and move on,” Guccione said of the Cordovas. “He’s still umpiring and sounds like he still wants to umpire and be part of the game and still give his time and give back to the game of baseball. And that’s what’s most important.”
