Members of the Point Loma High School Baseball Boosters group have tried for years to reward the contributions of Michael Delgado, a Pointer assistant coach.
Delgado, it seems, has been a part of Pointer baseball for the past decade.
But he won’t accept payment for the thousands of hours he has spent working with young athletes, especially pitchers, in the program.
He politely acknowledges the praise of parents and players for his efforts in building camaraderie, team unity and focus with a roster that turns over annually. But Pointer parents wanted to do more.
So, after much thought, the group finally found a way to honor him, creating “The Coach Delgado Leadership Award,” a perpetual trophy to honor varsity players who display the ideals, qualities and work ethic modeled by their coach.
The award will be presented annually to a “PLHS baseball player who leads by example through unselfish dedication to the team, hard work and the desire to consistently learn and improve.”
In reviewing the just-concluded season, Delgado, head coach Jon Posternack and other Pointer coaches faced a very difficult task in identifying a player from their successful (17-15) CIF playoff squad as the first award recipient.
Their choice was revealed at the team’s recent recognition dinner.
“It is a great honor to have this annual award named after me,” a humble Delgado told a large audience at the event, which included varsity, junior varsity and freshman team players, coaches and their parents. “I consider it a privilege to be able to work with these players,” he said.
He spoke of the qualities that he and fellow coaches will look for in future winners as he held the plaque with the first winner’s name covered.
Delgado then proudly revealed the first recipient of the “Delgado Award,” senior shortstop Scott Heylman. A three-year varsity starter at shortstop who also pitched, he is the son of Mike and Joan Heylman of Loma Portal.
“Scott has set the standard by which future players will be judged,” Delgado said. “He has consistently displayed every quality we look for in a team leader and dedicated player.”
Heylman stood smiling and looked down to see his name inscribed on the first of 24 metal plates on the plaque. The remaining ones will not be filled until 2031.
In addition to the plaque, Heylman also received a large engraved glass baseball on a desk stand. He will likely be displaying the sparkling sphere soon in his dorm at UC Davis, where he has received a scholarship to play for the Division I Aggies of the Big West Conference.
As for Delgado, he hopes to spend many more years as a coach and mentor to Pointer baseball players.