LC Meridian

Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: Sports

Perhaps the most important role of an ace pitcher is to be the stopper and someone that the team relies upon to lead the pitching staff. Emmanuel Vera brings those qualities and skills to the Lehman Lightning Baseball Team but he also aces in the classroom with a 3.7 grade point average. Vera has shown that he has the ability to not only dominate on the mound, but also hit a homerun in the classroom.

The senior, an ace pitcher of the Lehman Lightning Baseball team, is a Bronx native and in just his two years on the squad has excelled on the diamond, posting up some impressive numbers. In 2008 Vera played a big part in the Lightning's success as the team won 20 games and made the CUNY Athletic Conference playoffs. In that season he led the team with six victories, made 12 appearances and logged 56.1 innings striking out 59 batters while pitching 5 complete games.

A well rounded player, he also plays different positions in the infield including second base, something that Vera enjoys "I enjoy being able to pitch and play second base plus hitting."


It was for these reaons, demonstrated leadership qualities as well as skills, that Head Coach John Quirk appointed Vera as one the team's four "leaders" for the 2009 season. As a leader he has also being given the honor and responsibility of serving as a mentor for the younger members of the staff.


There is a mutual respect between coach and player as Vera enjoys playing for Coach Quirk, due in large part to his experience as a professional baseball player for the Chicago White Sox Organization, as well as his understanding of the game and his ability to relate to his players.

"Coach Quirk is a great guy… He was drafted by the White Sox and that alone opens his eyes as a player… with the right bunch of guys you would see a huge difference" Says Vera.

A product of Lehman High School where, during his senior season he posted an 8-1 record, Vera left the city for a stint at Northwestern State University- Oklahoma while there he had the opportunity to experience life outside the city and gained valuable insight into the sport and lifestyle

"Playing Baseball in Oklahoma was on a total different level… In NYC people have to work and are extremely preoccupied with other things at times but in Oklahoma we ate, drank and slept baseball… I guess going to D-2 school where scholarship money wasn't an issue and now in a D-3 where people have to take public transportation and everyone has different schedules it make things extremely difficult!!! Out there in Oklahoma there was more talent but the effort and dedication stood out by far!."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools