In this photo, Jacob Coolbaugh poses with Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. (Facebook)
Jacob Coolbaugh is set to play in the first round of the Little League World Series on Friday night. Jacob’s team, from McAllister Park in San Antonio, is one of eight teams from the United States that will battle for 30 games scheduled over 11 days.
When the 12-year-old takes the field for one of the biggest games of his life, he will play in honor of his late father. Here’s more about Jacob and his inspiring story.
1. He’s the Son of Late Major-Leaguer Mike Coolbaugh
Jacob’s father, Mike Coolbaugh was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round in 1990. He played 11 years in the minors and had two stints in the majors until injuries forced his retirement.
Following his professional playing career, Coolbaugh turned to coaching. In July 2007, he became a coach on the Tulsa Drillers’ staff. Later that month, however, he was fatally struck by a ball when coaching. Coolbaugh was 35.
“He had just started,” Coolbaugh’s wife, Mandy, told ESPN at the time. “We were going to be done with it, but his kids wanted to see him.”
Coolbaugh was standing in the first-base coaches box during a game in Arkansas when he was struck in the neck by a foul ball, which ruptured an artery. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“You couldn’t have asked for a better father,” Mandy told ESPN. “He just paid
attention to the boys, put them in clubs and sports … volunteered time on their teams.”
Jacob was only three years old at the time, and his older brother, Joseph was five. Mandy was pregnant with their third child, Anne Michael who was born three months after the tragic accident.
2. He Mainly Plays Second Base & in the Outfield
(Facebook)
Jacob is a versatile player, who has played every position except catcher and shortstop. He mainly plays second base and in the outfield.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Jacob said hearing major league players speak so highly of his father inspires him.
“It kind of gives me a feeling of pride knowing that my dad was great, and he had all of these friends and nobody ever said anything bad about him–how he was great on and off the field.”
3. He Wears No. 29 in Honor of His Father
(Getty)
Every time Jacob steps on the field, he plays for more than himself. He sees each game as a chance to celebrate his father’s life, and continue his legacy.
“I know from everyone telling me, he was a really great man,” Jacob told Longhorn Network. “I really miss him so. When he was killed, he happened to be wearing number 29, so that’s why I wear 29. When I step on the field, I kind of feel more pride and passion because I’m like re-stepping my father’s footsteps.”
He will be wearing No. 6 in the Little League World Series since players were assigned random new uniforms for the tournament, as noted by ESPN.
Jacob also writes his dad’s initials “MC-29” on his helmet and cap.
4. His Father Introduced Him to Baseball
(Facebook)
Some of Jacob’s earliest memories are from the time he spent on the field with his dad.
“I always remember going on the field, and running the bases with him,” Jacob told Express News.
“He was always involved with my life, and he’d take me out…I’d meet the players, and we’d just have fun the whole time,” he told ESPN.
Jacob also spoke of how supportive the baseball community was following his father’s death.
“When he died, he knew a lot of players…they came out, and helped out a little. We have a golf tournament where some of the players who knew him come,” he said. “It’s just good to meet them because they know everything about him and they were great friends because he was on a lot of teams.”
In the fall after Coolbaugh’s passing, the Rockies played in the National League Division Series. They invited Joey and Jacob to throw ceremonial first pitches prior to Game 3. After clinching their playoff berth, the Rockies announced that the players voted to award Coolbaugh’s family a full share of their playoff winnings.
Jacob’s family still has strong ties to the MLB as his uncle, Scott Coolbaugh is the hitting coach for the Baltimore Orioles. The Coolbaughs have also kept close to the Rockies organization— they spend a week at Rockies spring training camp every year, according to Express News.
5. His Mother is an Advocate For Safety Awareness in Sports
(Facebook)
Four months after Coolbaugh’s death, MLB general managers decided that base coaches would wear helmets starting in the 2008 season. While it was a step in the right direction, Mandy believes there are still many ways to protect players and coaches that aren’t utilized.
She has become an advocate for increasing safety measures in sports across all levels and ages. In a recent appearance on ESPN’s Outside the Lines, Mandy spoke about the importance of safety for participants and fans.
Mandy told Outside the Lines:
It’s important to me now because both my boys are playing and my daughter will eventually one day get into sports too.
I got a call at night telling me that my husband had just been killed. I don’t want anyone to have to go through that — whether it’s their son, their husband, their daughter, no one should have to do that.
ESPN also noted that Mandy feels the Little League World Series could provide a platform to further safety awareness efforts.
“I don’t want my boys to be afraid, I just want people to be aware of the dangers of baseball,” Mandy told the Longhorn Network. “While it’s a great sport, be smart about it, too.”
Little League World Series 2016: 1st-Round Schedule & Results
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Olivia Stacey is a contributor to Heavy covering news, sports and entertainment. Olivia is a multi-faceted reporter who has worked with a variety of media outlets including Fox Sports, Tampa Media Group and PBS. Follow her on Twitter @Olivia_Stacey. Olivia can be reached at olivia.stacey@heavy.com.August 19, 2016 9:39 pm
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