ICHIRO "ICHI" MIYAGAWA
BELOW: VIDEO OF THE ICHI MIYAGAWA PLAQUE UNVEILING
Update: July 4, 2018
ICHI MIYAGAWA MEMORIAL PLAQUE DEDICATION AND CELEBRATION
MAY 5, 2018
The event was a phenomenal success. Everybody had a great time honoring and remembering Ichi and connecting with old friends and meeting new friends. Little League alumni and coaches from just about every time period when Ichi umpired, from 1955 through 1972, were there.
A total of 60 people attended the Ichi dedication, and 45 burritos were served afterward in the ballpark's picnic area to those who had reserved in advance, along with light food, dessert, cake and beverages for all.
Immediate past Monterey Mayor and Little Leaguer Chuck Della Sala was the Keynote Speaker. Chuck beautifully encapsulated the "magic" of Ichi that still impacts us today. He spoke of Ichi's "mystique," his professional black umpire uniform, black mask, black sunglasses, and powerful black motorcycle and his larger-than-life personality. Chuck as well as others expressed the sentiments that Ichi commanded respect and earned it through his firm oversight of the games coupled with a positive and understanding attitude towards every player he dealt with. And as Chuck concluded (using a term which he pointed out is perhaps more common for kids today) Ichi for many of us was a "superhero."
(continued below ...)
MAY 5, 2018
The event was a phenomenal success. Everybody had a great time honoring and remembering Ichi and connecting with old friends and meeting new friends. Little League alumni and coaches from just about every time period when Ichi umpired, from 1955 through 1972, were there.
A total of 60 people attended the Ichi dedication, and 45 burritos were served afterward in the ballpark's picnic area to those who had reserved in advance, along with light food, dessert, cake and beverages for all.
Immediate past Monterey Mayor and Little Leaguer Chuck Della Sala was the Keynote Speaker. Chuck beautifully encapsulated the "magic" of Ichi that still impacts us today. He spoke of Ichi's "mystique," his professional black umpire uniform, black mask, black sunglasses, and powerful black motorcycle and his larger-than-life personality. Chuck as well as others expressed the sentiments that Ichi commanded respect and earned it through his firm oversight of the games coupled with a positive and understanding attitude towards every player he dealt with. And as Chuck concluded (using a term which he pointed out is perhaps more common for kids today) Ichi for many of us was a "superhero."
(continued below ...)
Martha Smith, Mark Smith, Don Davison, Dan Albert Sr., Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Kay Costales, Antonio Della Sala, John Pira, Gary Hutchinson, J.J. Ruccello, Colin Kageyama, Antonia Ruccello, Mel Hagio, Roxanne Speciale, Phil Speciale, Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Anthony Della Sala, Chuck Della Sala, Derek Morris, Mike Ventimiglia, Scott Harris, TBD, Robert Stanton, Doug Forzani, Lisa Honda, Ellie Hattori, Setsuko Miyagawa, Carol Lancaster Brown, Jill Harris, Del Brown
(continued from above ...)
Robert Stanton and Derek Morris were "Co-Masters of Ceremonies" and Robert started off the event describing "how we got here." In other words, what steps led up to this day's dedication for Ichi Miyagawa? Well, it all started when Robert and Derek were age four and met in nursery school! Fast forward to 2015 during a Monterey High class reunion when Derek was visiting from Santa Barbara. Robert's mother Jeanne stopped by Robert and Annamarie's home with a beautifully preserved photo album she had located in her attic - filled with all of their Monte Vista Elementary class photos from Kindergarten through 6th grade! (Robert and Derek had been in the very same class each year since nursery school.)
Upon viewing the photos - many of which they had not seen in decades - Derek decided to create a website and to add his Little League and Babe Ruth team photo yearbooks. None of this information had ever been put online before - somebody needed to do it! Thus began an ever-expanding "Monterey Digital Scrapbook" website.
(continued below ...)
Robert Stanton and Derek Morris were "Co-Masters of Ceremonies" and Robert started off the event describing "how we got here." In other words, what steps led up to this day's dedication for Ichi Miyagawa? Well, it all started when Robert and Derek were age four and met in nursery school! Fast forward to 2015 during a Monterey High class reunion when Derek was visiting from Santa Barbara. Robert's mother Jeanne stopped by Robert and Annamarie's home with a beautifully preserved photo album she had located in her attic - filled with all of their Monte Vista Elementary class photos from Kindergarten through 6th grade! (Robert and Derek had been in the very same class each year since nursery school.)
Upon viewing the photos - many of which they had not seen in decades - Derek decided to create a website and to add his Little League and Babe Ruth team photo yearbooks. None of this information had ever been put online before - somebody needed to do it! Thus began an ever-expanding "Monterey Digital Scrapbook" website.
(continued below ...)
Dan Albert Sr., Mel Hagio, Ed Smith, Roxanne Speciale, Dan Albert Jr., Phil Speciale, Steve Martin, Mark Smith, Joan Costello
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Bob Miyamoto, Steve Martin, Araceli Harris, Colin Kageyama, Chris Dubois, Leonora Harris, Jill Harris, John Pira
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Special thanks to Christopher DuBois for his
phenomenal event photos!
phenomenal event photos!
Doug Forzani, Chuck Della Sala
(continued from above ...)
So with those Monte Vista photos in front of them, Robert and Derek started talking about two things that had a big impact on both of them from 3rd through 6th grade at ages 9-12: Little League and Ichi! They both realized that though Ichi was a legend to them that they really knew very little about the man. They didn't even know Ichi's last name! So they started some research initially with the intent of tracking down Ichi if he were alive to connect with him and thank him! Sadly they found out that Ichi was no longer with us; he had passed away in 2002 at the age of 89.
They also learned about how key Ichi was to the development and success of Monterey Little League baseball over a twenty-one year period. Ichi had co-founded Monterey Little League in 1952. He then became head umpire at Little League park as soon as it was completed in 1955; he umpired there for eighteen seasons through 1972. And throughout that time period, Ichi worked for free! He volunteered his time without compensation! Many more articles and stories and personal anecdotes surfaced which confirmed how uniquely great Ichi was.
So Derek and Robert decided that it was about time Ichi was honored!
(continued below ...)
So with those Monte Vista photos in front of them, Robert and Derek started talking about two things that had a big impact on both of them from 3rd through 6th grade at ages 9-12: Little League and Ichi! They both realized that though Ichi was a legend to them that they really knew very little about the man. They didn't even know Ichi's last name! So they started some research initially with the intent of tracking down Ichi if he were alive to connect with him and thank him! Sadly they found out that Ichi was no longer with us; he had passed away in 2002 at the age of 89.
They also learned about how key Ichi was to the development and success of Monterey Little League baseball over a twenty-one year period. Ichi had co-founded Monterey Little League in 1952. He then became head umpire at Little League park as soon as it was completed in 1955; he umpired there for eighteen seasons through 1972. And throughout that time period, Ichi worked for free! He volunteered his time without compensation! Many more articles and stories and personal anecdotes surfaced which confirmed how uniquely great Ichi was.
So Derek and Robert decided that it was about time Ichi was honored!
(continued below ...)
Scott Harris, TBD, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Colin Kageyama.
TBD, Dan Albert Sr., Don Davison, Kay Costales, Mel Hagio, Gary Hutchinson, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Roxanne Speciale, Laura Armbruster, Phil Speciale, Antonio Della Sala, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Ed Smith, Robert Stanton, Derek Morris, Dan Albert Jr.
Chuck Della Sala, Doug Forzani, Phil Speciale
Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Doug Forzani, Del Brown
Scott Harris, TBD, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Doug Forzani, Carol Lancaster Brown,
(continued from above ...)
Robert and Derek felt that Ichi's direct contributions over twenty-one years to Little League / youth baseball at that very park warranted a formal park renaming. Nobody deserved this more. In fact, even back in 2002 the Herald Ichi obituary reported that the City had already decided to rename the park after him. But the renaming never materialized for reasons unknown. And as Derek and Robert soon learned, in this present day their pipe dream of renaming the park was just not politically feasible.
So instead they developed the idea of installing an engraved bronze home plate-shaped tribute plaque on the wall facing the infield and home plate and pitcher's mound showing Ichi "in action;" it would be the first plaque approved for the ballpark in its sixty-three-year existence. It took more than two years to make it all happen, but things finally came together and the unveiling, dedication and celebration took place on May 5, 2018.
(More details on "how we got here" are in the Addendum, below.)
So after Robert discussed "how we got here," Derek picked it up from there, and the rest of the program was focused on "why we are here" - to remember and honor Ichi Miyagawa. Nine individual speakers walked up to the two microphones that were set up and told often funny, moving and heartfelt stories. Speakers included Chuck Della Sala, Colin Kageyama, Phil Speciale, Carol Lancaster Brown, Del Brown, Donnie Enea, David Casas, Robert Stanton, and Derek Morris.
(continued below ...)
Robert and Derek felt that Ichi's direct contributions over twenty-one years to Little League / youth baseball at that very park warranted a formal park renaming. Nobody deserved this more. In fact, even back in 2002 the Herald Ichi obituary reported that the City had already decided to rename the park after him. But the renaming never materialized for reasons unknown. And as Derek and Robert soon learned, in this present day their pipe dream of renaming the park was just not politically feasible.
So instead they developed the idea of installing an engraved bronze home plate-shaped tribute plaque on the wall facing the infield and home plate and pitcher's mound showing Ichi "in action;" it would be the first plaque approved for the ballpark in its sixty-three-year existence. It took more than two years to make it all happen, but things finally came together and the unveiling, dedication and celebration took place on May 5, 2018.
(More details on "how we got here" are in the Addendum, below.)
So after Robert discussed "how we got here," Derek picked it up from there, and the rest of the program was focused on "why we are here" - to remember and honor Ichi Miyagawa. Nine individual speakers walked up to the two microphones that were set up and told often funny, moving and heartfelt stories. Speakers included Chuck Della Sala, Colin Kageyama, Phil Speciale, Carol Lancaster Brown, Del Brown, Donnie Enea, David Casas, Robert Stanton, and Derek Morris.
(continued below ...)
Scott Harris, TBD, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Colin Kageyama
Scott Harris, TBD, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Doug Forzani, Carol Lancaster Brown
Dan Albert Sr., Don Davison, Kay Costales, Mel Hagio, Gary Hutchinson, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Roxanne Speciale, Laura Armbruster, Phil Speciale, Antonio Della Sala
Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Anthony Della Sala, Chuck Della Sala
Lee Miyamoto, Linda Kadani, Setsuko Miyagawa, Jill Harris, Ellie Hattori, Donnie Enea, Lisa Honda, Don Davison, Lewis Leader, Robert Stanton, "Chewy" the dog, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Rose Della Sala, Charles Della Sala, Laura Armbruster, Anthony Della Sals, Antonio Della Sala
Del Brown, Carol Lancaster Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa, Ellie Hattori, Lisa Honda, David Casas, Araceli Harris, Leonora Harris, Greg Harris, Jill Harris
(continued from above ...)
Speaker Del Brown told the story of the day in recent years, long after Ichi had passed, when a local Water Department crew was doing repairs in the street outside of Ichi's house where his wife Setsuko now lives. During his conversation with the workers, most of the crew members mentioned that they had played Little League under Ichi and loved the guy. Then at that point, each crew member started "one-upping" each other of why it was he Ichi believed was the better baseball player and why it was he who Ichi actually liked better! Decades later, they all were brought back to the time when as young Little Leaguers they wanted to impress Ichi! Another great example of Ichi's enduring impact!
(continued below ....)
Speaker Del Brown told the story of the day in recent years, long after Ichi had passed, when a local Water Department crew was doing repairs in the street outside of Ichi's house where his wife Setsuko now lives. During his conversation with the workers, most of the crew members mentioned that they had played Little League under Ichi and loved the guy. Then at that point, each crew member started "one-upping" each other of why it was he Ichi believed was the better baseball player and why it was he who Ichi actually liked better! Decades later, they all were brought back to the time when as young Little Leaguers they wanted to impress Ichi! Another great example of Ichi's enduring impact!
(continued below ....)
Phil Speciale, Roxanne Speciale, Ed Smith, David Casas, Anthony Della Sala, John Pira, Don Davison, Annamarie Stanton, TBD, Dan Albert Sr., Scott Harris, Chuck Della Sala, Mike Ventimiglia
Rick Hattori, David Casas, Gregory Harris, Randall Harris, Peter Tweedt, Lee Miyamoto, Brad Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Donnie Enea, Don Davison
Colin Kageyama, Steve Martin, John PIra, Martha Smith, Mark Smith, Akemi Ito, Dan Albert Jr., Don Davison, Kay Costales, Mel Hagio, Gary Hutchinson, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Robert Stanton, Derek Morris, Phil Speciale
Phil Speciale, Scott Harris, Ed Smith, Anthony Della Sala, John Pira, David Casas, Don Davison, Laura Armbruster, Antonia Ruccello, Dan Albert Sr., J.J. Ruccello, Chuck Della Sala, Dan Albert Jr., Mike Ventimiglia
David Casas, Gregory Harris, Randall Harris, Lee Miyamoto, Rick Hattori
Scott Harris, TBD, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Colin Kageyama
(Here is a recently received (March 2020) photo of Ichi Miyagawa from 1960, when he was about age 48. Those in the photo, most of who worked with Ichi at the Pebble Beach Company / Del Monte Properties, are (L to R) Otis Kadani, Pete Bough, Ichi Miyagawa, Dave Simmons, and Tom ________. Ichi and Pete Bough were very good friends. Many thanks to Ken Bough (son of Pete) for sending the photo! (And a "colorized" version from a free online BW-to-color conversion site came up with the photo below.)
(continued from above ...)
A number of people spoke of the power behind Ichi's challenging throws back to the pitcher. When Ichi introduced a fresh baseball into the game, he didn't just lob it to the pitcher or hand it to the catcher. Ichi threw it very forcefully right at the pitcher (with suitable "warning" to make sure he was ready). And that baseball was thrown hard - delivered with a smooth overhand motion at a high velocity - a perfect chest-high down-the-middle "strike" every time.
Pitchers had to be on their toes just to handle one of Ichi's throws and to avoid getting the palms of their hands "stung" if they didn't catch the ball in the webbing of the glove. This was Ichi's subtle "hey wake up!" call and perhaps his way of letting everyone know that he too could play the game! Ichi had a way of keeping everybody focused; and as funny as it sounds, every pitcher wanted to impress Ichi and prove they could catch his throws!
As donor Mark Smith wrote: "I'll always remember how Ichi, after a foul ball, would take out a new ball and fire it back to the pitcher with perfect accuracy and speed every time ... it was a total treat to play on Ichi's Field of Dreams."
Mark recalled when he was batting against the most dominant pitcher in our league. Everybody had trouble hitting this pitcher. First time at bat, Mark, a leftie, was "way behind" the pitch. But finally after a couple of whiffs his late swing did manage to connect and barely pop the ball over the third baseman into left field for a single. Mark was a tall and strong kid who normally could hit with power down the right field line. But with this pitcher the best he could do was choke up and use a light 26-ounce bat. Mark remember's Ichi's classic comment as Mark approached the plate for his second at-bat: "You bettah stahht swinging NOW!"
(continued below ...)
A number of people spoke of the power behind Ichi's challenging throws back to the pitcher. When Ichi introduced a fresh baseball into the game, he didn't just lob it to the pitcher or hand it to the catcher. Ichi threw it very forcefully right at the pitcher (with suitable "warning" to make sure he was ready). And that baseball was thrown hard - delivered with a smooth overhand motion at a high velocity - a perfect chest-high down-the-middle "strike" every time.
Pitchers had to be on their toes just to handle one of Ichi's throws and to avoid getting the palms of their hands "stung" if they didn't catch the ball in the webbing of the glove. This was Ichi's subtle "hey wake up!" call and perhaps his way of letting everyone know that he too could play the game! Ichi had a way of keeping everybody focused; and as funny as it sounds, every pitcher wanted to impress Ichi and prove they could catch his throws!
As donor Mark Smith wrote: "I'll always remember how Ichi, after a foul ball, would take out a new ball and fire it back to the pitcher with perfect accuracy and speed every time ... it was a total treat to play on Ichi's Field of Dreams."
Mark recalled when he was batting against the most dominant pitcher in our league. Everybody had trouble hitting this pitcher. First time at bat, Mark, a leftie, was "way behind" the pitch. But finally after a couple of whiffs his late swing did manage to connect and barely pop the ball over the third baseman into left field for a single. Mark was a tall and strong kid who normally could hit with power down the right field line. But with this pitcher the best he could do was choke up and use a light 26-ounce bat. Mark remember's Ichi's classic comment as Mark approached the plate for his second at-bat: "You bettah stahht swinging NOW!"
(continued below ...)
Chuck Della Sala
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Carol Lancaster Brown
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Del Brown
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David Casas
Carol Lancaster Brown
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Robert Stanton
Del Brown
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Derek Morris
Phil Speciale
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Chuck Della Sala
Derek Morris
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Colin Kageyama
Robert Stanton
|
(continued from above ...)
Regarding Ichi's hard throws back to the pitcher: here is what donor Pete Casas said in a Herald article written by Dennis Taylor (reprinted below):
"One of his vivid childhood memories is the way Ichi, the home-plate umpire, would zip the ball back to the mound after a foul ball 30-some years ago.
Sssss — WHAP!"
" 'He'd throw BB’s at you --- absolute bullets,' Casas recollects. 'It was always kind of scary for an 11- or 12-year-old pitcher. Everybody you talk to seems to have five or six memories of Ichi’s days as an umpire in Monterey -- who he was, how he handled the games — and that's definitely one of mine.' "
As donor Patrick Duffy wrote: "As the catcher for the Elks team, I had ample time behind home plate with Ichi. He was always watching out for all of us. My favorite memory of catching at Little League Park was; every once in a while, if I got ahead of myself during a game, and I was leaning toward the pitcher's mound, catcher's mitt outstretched across the plate, without saying a word, Ichi would gently nudge me back towards the backstop, so the batter would not crack my skull with his swing... Great Guy, and now, with this plaque placed behind home plate, Ichi will continue to keep an eye on the safety of all the future Little Leaguers who play on our field."
Ichi was a perfect mix of "demanding and encouraging;" he elevated our game and brought out the best in us; we all wanted to do better when playing on ICHI'S FIELD. Sometimes Ichi's heavily accented choppy language was blunt and to the point - but we knew he had the best intent; we all laughed hearing stories from a number of people about Ichi's classic "comments."
And with respect to Ichi's heavily-accented blunt style of communication and leadership, Monterey Little League alum and donor Steve Martin (winner of the "long distance voyager" award for traveling to the event from Phoenix!) wrote: "In hindsight, the slight language barrier/difference added to his aura of being from another world, and not just Japan as opposed to the USA. He was someone of action, and in control without being overbearing or overtly verbal. A great deal of freedom exists within the confines of certainty and structure, in knowing that the vagaries and upsets of uninvited unpleasantness are being kept safely away. People like Ichi create an environment that demands and appreciates responsibility, allowing for fun and success without being unnaturally free of disappointment, all within a space that permits the participant to experience the impervious mindset enjoyed by people completely in the moment."
(continued below ...)
Regarding Ichi's hard throws back to the pitcher: here is what donor Pete Casas said in a Herald article written by Dennis Taylor (reprinted below):
"One of his vivid childhood memories is the way Ichi, the home-plate umpire, would zip the ball back to the mound after a foul ball 30-some years ago.
Sssss — WHAP!"
" 'He'd throw BB’s at you --- absolute bullets,' Casas recollects. 'It was always kind of scary for an 11- or 12-year-old pitcher. Everybody you talk to seems to have five or six memories of Ichi’s days as an umpire in Monterey -- who he was, how he handled the games — and that's definitely one of mine.' "
As donor Patrick Duffy wrote: "As the catcher for the Elks team, I had ample time behind home plate with Ichi. He was always watching out for all of us. My favorite memory of catching at Little League Park was; every once in a while, if I got ahead of myself during a game, and I was leaning toward the pitcher's mound, catcher's mitt outstretched across the plate, without saying a word, Ichi would gently nudge me back towards the backstop, so the batter would not crack my skull with his swing... Great Guy, and now, with this plaque placed behind home plate, Ichi will continue to keep an eye on the safety of all the future Little Leaguers who play on our field."
Ichi was a perfect mix of "demanding and encouraging;" he elevated our game and brought out the best in us; we all wanted to do better when playing on ICHI'S FIELD. Sometimes Ichi's heavily accented choppy language was blunt and to the point - but we knew he had the best intent; we all laughed hearing stories from a number of people about Ichi's classic "comments."
And with respect to Ichi's heavily-accented blunt style of communication and leadership, Monterey Little League alum and donor Steve Martin (winner of the "long distance voyager" award for traveling to the event from Phoenix!) wrote: "In hindsight, the slight language barrier/difference added to his aura of being from another world, and not just Japan as opposed to the USA. He was someone of action, and in control without being overbearing or overtly verbal. A great deal of freedom exists within the confines of certainty and structure, in knowing that the vagaries and upsets of uninvited unpleasantness are being kept safely away. People like Ichi create an environment that demands and appreciates responsibility, allowing for fun and success without being unnaturally free of disappointment, all within a space that permits the participant to experience the impervious mindset enjoyed by people completely in the moment."
(continued below ...)
Steve Martin, Mark Smith, Joan Costello.
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Robert Stanton, "Chewy" the dog, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Rose Della Sala, Charles Della Sala, Laura Armbruster, Anthony Della Sala
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Doug Forzani, Phil Speciale
Chuck Della Sala
(continued from above ...)
As donor and event speaker Phil Speciale wrote: "I will always remember Ichi. He was an excellent umpire. Nothing but fond memories from back in the day (around 1970) when I was a 12-year-old catcher on my Little League Team, the Host Lions. I also used to love the way he said Schttttruuurriiiiiiikke."
Memory of Ichi's unique pronunciation of common baseball terms was echoed by many. As donor Rob Mehlert wrote: "Steerike ... That's how I remember Ichi ... what a pleasant umpire .... great memories .... thanks Ichi!"
As a few people pointed out, "Schttttruuurriiiiiiikke" or "Steerike" - or however you spell it (!) was one of a few classic and memorable Ichi "words." Others included: "Baattaz - zouuut" and to help kids get out of the way of errant pitches, Ichi would shout "Waaatch - eeeet"!
Mike Culala wrote: "Such great memories. The story about Ichi was so clear in my mind, it brought a tear to my eye. I can still hear the 'Waaatch it !' to this day."
(continued below ...)
As donor and event speaker Phil Speciale wrote: "I will always remember Ichi. He was an excellent umpire. Nothing but fond memories from back in the day (around 1970) when I was a 12-year-old catcher on my Little League Team, the Host Lions. I also used to love the way he said Schttttruuurriiiiiiikke."
Memory of Ichi's unique pronunciation of common baseball terms was echoed by many. As donor Rob Mehlert wrote: "Steerike ... That's how I remember Ichi ... what a pleasant umpire .... great memories .... thanks Ichi!"
As a few people pointed out, "Schttttruuurriiiiiiikke" or "Steerike" - or however you spell it (!) was one of a few classic and memorable Ichi "words." Others included: "Baattaz - zouuut" and to help kids get out of the way of errant pitches, Ichi would shout "Waaatch - eeeet"!
Mike Culala wrote: "Such great memories. The story about Ichi was so clear in my mind, it brought a tear to my eye. I can still hear the 'Waaatch it !' to this day."
(continued below ...)
Scott Harris, TBD, Chuck Della Sala
Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Anthony Della Sala, Chuck Della Sala, Lisa Honda, Derek Morris, Ellie Hattori, Scott Harris, Robert Stanton, TBD, Setsuko Miyagawa
Gregory Harris, Randall Harris, Peter Tweedt, Brad Harris, Josette Harris Quinn, Del Brown, Araceli Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Carol Lancaster Brown, Leonora Harris, Lee Miyamoto, Setsuko Miyagawa, Linda Kadani, Jill Harris, Donnie Enea, Ellie Hattori, Lisa Honda, Don Davison
(continued from above ...)
Speaker David Casas provided an interesting "clarification" to the classic story told by his brother Pete in the Dennis Taylor Herald article (reprinted below) about the time Ichi "booted" David's father from the ballpark. The article seemed to imply that their father was protesting one of Ichi's calls. Well, David said that before that game started, someone had discovered rocks scattered in the outfield grass (perhaps thrown onto the field the night before by mischievous kids?) and their father just wanted to have the rocks cleared in the interest of safety before starting the game. David Casas said that Ichi insisted on starting right away on schedule, and that was what upset the father.
It is not clear if Pete Casas was misquoted in the Herald article, but what began as a legitimate request coupled with perhaps a language misunderstanding escalated into a battle of egos. As the arguing continued, the father got booted not just from the game but eventually from the entire facility; Ichi would not resume the game until he was totally gone from the grounds.
This story illustrates that Ichi ran a tight ship. He was impatient with and not sympathetic to what he sometimes (correctly or incorrectly) perceived as gratuitous coach or parental complaints to gain advantage in a particular game. He was definitely open to discussion if there was a dispute over a particular rule interpretation, and when needed would check the rulebook which he always carried on him.
(continued below ...)
Speaker David Casas provided an interesting "clarification" to the classic story told by his brother Pete in the Dennis Taylor Herald article (reprinted below) about the time Ichi "booted" David's father from the ballpark. The article seemed to imply that their father was protesting one of Ichi's calls. Well, David said that before that game started, someone had discovered rocks scattered in the outfield grass (perhaps thrown onto the field the night before by mischievous kids?) and their father just wanted to have the rocks cleared in the interest of safety before starting the game. David Casas said that Ichi insisted on starting right away on schedule, and that was what upset the father.
It is not clear if Pete Casas was misquoted in the Herald article, but what began as a legitimate request coupled with perhaps a language misunderstanding escalated into a battle of egos. As the arguing continued, the father got booted not just from the game but eventually from the entire facility; Ichi would not resume the game until he was totally gone from the grounds.
This story illustrates that Ichi ran a tight ship. He was impatient with and not sympathetic to what he sometimes (correctly or incorrectly) perceived as gratuitous coach or parental complaints to gain advantage in a particular game. He was definitely open to discussion if there was a dispute over a particular rule interpretation, and when needed would check the rulebook which he always carried on him.
(continued below ...)
Alan Herren, Joanne Risedorph Herren, Lee Miyamoto, TBD, Colin Kageyama, Laura Armbruster, David Casas
(continued from above ...)
But everybody knew that Ichi's final decision was indeed final. Coaches and parents learned to not try to push him around. (Crazy, overzealous coach and parental personalities did exist in those days too!)
And as was pointed out in the Dennis Taylor Herald article, Ichi was a tough guy: he held black belts in both karate and judo, and was a martial arts instructor for the Monterey Police Department. As Taylor wrote: "Ichi’s authoritarian approach normally ended any dispute. Coaches and fans rarely stayed on Ichi’s case for long, partly because he was also a commanding physical presence. And in an era when men occasionally 'settled' their differences later, in the parking lot, Ichi, a black belt in both judo and karate, was more than willing."
"'One game, behind Navy School, trouble. One kid, third strike — called out,' Ichi remembers. 'Outside the fence, man hollered; and I said, ‘Shaddap! Who the umpire, you or me? Keep quiet!' But he won't keep quiet. So I say, 'After game, you wait. I want to talk to you.' "
"The man waited, became belligerent and push came to shove — which was OK with Ichi."
" — 'I love fight — more than eat," he says. 'I flip him. He stand up, I flip him again, say ‘Stay down.’ He stand up again — whap! whap! — two black eye. I don't see him five, six weeks.' "
The conclusion of many was that Ichi simply wanted to let the games proceed and for the kids to enjoy themselves with minimum interference from coaches or parents. Did Ichi get it wrong at times? Of course, perhaps as in the case of David and Pete Casas' father. But not too often! (By the way, the rocks got removed during the course of that game and nobody got hurt.)
(continued below ...)
But everybody knew that Ichi's final decision was indeed final. Coaches and parents learned to not try to push him around. (Crazy, overzealous coach and parental personalities did exist in those days too!)
And as was pointed out in the Dennis Taylor Herald article, Ichi was a tough guy: he held black belts in both karate and judo, and was a martial arts instructor for the Monterey Police Department. As Taylor wrote: "Ichi’s authoritarian approach normally ended any dispute. Coaches and fans rarely stayed on Ichi’s case for long, partly because he was also a commanding physical presence. And in an era when men occasionally 'settled' their differences later, in the parking lot, Ichi, a black belt in both judo and karate, was more than willing."
"'One game, behind Navy School, trouble. One kid, third strike — called out,' Ichi remembers. 'Outside the fence, man hollered; and I said, ‘Shaddap! Who the umpire, you or me? Keep quiet!' But he won't keep quiet. So I say, 'After game, you wait. I want to talk to you.' "
"The man waited, became belligerent and push came to shove — which was OK with Ichi."
" — 'I love fight — more than eat," he says. 'I flip him. He stand up, I flip him again, say ‘Stay down.’ He stand up again — whap! whap! — two black eye. I don't see him five, six weeks.' "
The conclusion of many was that Ichi simply wanted to let the games proceed and for the kids to enjoy themselves with minimum interference from coaches or parents. Did Ichi get it wrong at times? Of course, perhaps as in the case of David and Pete Casas' father. But not too often! (By the way, the rocks got removed during the course of that game and nobody got hurt.)
(continued below ...)
Derek Morris and Robert Stanton unveiling Plaque for Ichi Miyagawa.
|
Don Davison, Akemi Ito, Dan Albert Jr., Kay Costales, Suzanne Mucha, Mel Hagio, Harry Mucha, Laura Armbruster, Roxanne Speciale, Phil Speciale, Antonio Della Sala, Ed Smith, Scott Harris, Derek Morris
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BELOW: VIDEO OF THE ICHI MIYAGAWA PLAQUE UNVEILING
Carol Lancaster Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Derek Morris, Robert Stanton
Carol Lancaster Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Derek Morris, Robert Stanton
Dan Albert, Del Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa, Carol Lancaster Brown
Bob Miyamoto, Steve Martin, Araceli Harris, Colin Kageyama, Chris Dubois, Leonora Harris, Jill Harris, John Pira
(continued from above ...)
Derek Morris spoke of Ichi's "protective attitude" towards kids. As he wrote: "If a wild pitch was headed towards a batter, Ichi would shout out 'Waatch Eet!' in his strong Japanese accent to get the batter to jump out of the way. Ichi would even occasionally reach out to block a pitch that was about to hit a batter. And every once in a while Ichi would pause briefly between pitches to correct a younger inexperienced player’s stance if Ichi felt instruction was needed. It always occurred to me back then that giving batting instructions to an inexperienced, unconfident kid in 'real time' while he is at the plate in the middle of a game, while everybody was watching, might not be the most effective way to teach batting skills! But everybody knew Ichi was just trying to help. And I'm sure sometimes he did!"
And as was discussed at the dedication, and as it also states in the tribute plaque wording itself, Ichi did have a reputation for sometimes "leveling the playing field." For instance, he would sometimes "expand the strike zone" on certain dominant teams that might be way-ahead in a particular game. This was and remains one of the more controversial aspects of Ichi's reputation, even among some coaches today.
But Ichi's intent was honorable; he wanted every young player to enjoy the game, get as much playing time as possible and not have to walk away embarrassed if their team lost badly after four innings as the result of a "10-run-slaughter" rule.
And this protective attitude toward kids was what perhaps made Ichi wary of complaints by the few overzealous coaches and/or parents trying to alter a game in their particular team's or child's favor. He wanted the kids to have their own space to enjoy themselves and compete fairly without outside interference.
As donor Thomas Williams wrote: "Loved this man behind the plate and the respect he had for the game, us kids and the way he dealt with the parents."
And as donor Mike Ventimiglia wrote: "It is an honor to contribute to this fine man."
(continued below ...)
Derek Morris spoke of Ichi's "protective attitude" towards kids. As he wrote: "If a wild pitch was headed towards a batter, Ichi would shout out 'Waatch Eet!' in his strong Japanese accent to get the batter to jump out of the way. Ichi would even occasionally reach out to block a pitch that was about to hit a batter. And every once in a while Ichi would pause briefly between pitches to correct a younger inexperienced player’s stance if Ichi felt instruction was needed. It always occurred to me back then that giving batting instructions to an inexperienced, unconfident kid in 'real time' while he is at the plate in the middle of a game, while everybody was watching, might not be the most effective way to teach batting skills! But everybody knew Ichi was just trying to help. And I'm sure sometimes he did!"
And as was discussed at the dedication, and as it also states in the tribute plaque wording itself, Ichi did have a reputation for sometimes "leveling the playing field." For instance, he would sometimes "expand the strike zone" on certain dominant teams that might be way-ahead in a particular game. This was and remains one of the more controversial aspects of Ichi's reputation, even among some coaches today.
But Ichi's intent was honorable; he wanted every young player to enjoy the game, get as much playing time as possible and not have to walk away embarrassed if their team lost badly after four innings as the result of a "10-run-slaughter" rule.
And this protective attitude toward kids was what perhaps made Ichi wary of complaints by the few overzealous coaches and/or parents trying to alter a game in their particular team's or child's favor. He wanted the kids to have their own space to enjoy themselves and compete fairly without outside interference.
As donor Thomas Williams wrote: "Loved this man behind the plate and the respect he had for the game, us kids and the way he dealt with the parents."
And as donor Mike Ventimiglia wrote: "It is an honor to contribute to this fine man."
(continued below ...)
Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Anthony Della Sala, Chuck Della Sala, Derek Morris, Scott Harris, Robert Stanton, TBD, Doug Forzani
Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Carol Lancaster Brown and Plaque for Ichi Miyagawa
(continued from above ...)
Probably the most legendary aspect of Ichi that was talked about at the dedication was the $1 worth of candy he rewarded to every slugger who hit a home run out of the park. (Remember this was when the fences were normal Little League height, not 30 foot tall monster fences designed to keep the ball in the park in order to protect cars, picnic areas, playgrounds and surrounding houses!) Everybody seemed to know of Ichi's $1 home run candy reward. As soon as the hitter crossed the plate after taking the "home run trot" around the bases, Ichi would gently grab him by the shoulder and point towards the "snack shack." Some sluggers would go to their dugout with the intent of picking up the candy later, but most headed straight for their candy. And the concession operator always seemed to know who had just hit the home run; Ichi "ran an account" there and paid for the candy out of his own pocket. Other customers would have to wait while the hitter hurriedly chose his candy so he could get back to the dugout (usually to share with teammates) while his team still remained at bat.
So not only did Ichi donate his time for free as an unpaid volunteer umpire for eighteen years; he also spent the equivalent of $7.79 in today's dollars for each of his home run candy rewards!
"Ah, those were the days ... when sugar was innocent, fun, non-toxic and not a known cause of Type-2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome!" From "Ichi Miyagawa, Legendary Monterey Little League Umpire," written by Derek Morris, below.
(continued below ...)
Probably the most legendary aspect of Ichi that was talked about at the dedication was the $1 worth of candy he rewarded to every slugger who hit a home run out of the park. (Remember this was when the fences were normal Little League height, not 30 foot tall monster fences designed to keep the ball in the park in order to protect cars, picnic areas, playgrounds and surrounding houses!) Everybody seemed to know of Ichi's $1 home run candy reward. As soon as the hitter crossed the plate after taking the "home run trot" around the bases, Ichi would gently grab him by the shoulder and point towards the "snack shack." Some sluggers would go to their dugout with the intent of picking up the candy later, but most headed straight for their candy. And the concession operator always seemed to know who had just hit the home run; Ichi "ran an account" there and paid for the candy out of his own pocket. Other customers would have to wait while the hitter hurriedly chose his candy so he could get back to the dugout (usually to share with teammates) while his team still remained at bat.
So not only did Ichi donate his time for free as an unpaid volunteer umpire for eighteen years; he also spent the equivalent of $7.79 in today's dollars for each of his home run candy rewards!
"Ah, those were the days ... when sugar was innocent, fun, non-toxic and not a known cause of Type-2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome!" From "Ichi Miyagawa, Legendary Monterey Little League Umpire," written by Derek Morris, below.
(continued below ...)
Del Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Carol Lancaster Brown and Plaque for Ichi Miyagawa
Del Brown, Carol Lancaster Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa, Ellie Hattori, Lisa Honda, David Casas, Araceli Harris, Leonora Harris, Gregory Harris, Jill Harris, Randall Harris, Lee Miyamoto, Rick Hattori
John Pira, Akemi Ito, Dan Albert Sr., Mel Hagio, Ed Smith, Roxanne Speciale, Dan Albert Jr., Phil Speciale, Steve Martin, Mark Smith, Antonia Ruccello, Joan Costello, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Martha Smith, Gary Hutchinson, Kay Costales
Ed Smith, Antonia Ruccello, Lewis Leader, Gary Hutchinson, Kay Costales
Martha Smith, Steve Martin, Mark Smith, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Akemi Ito, Mel Hagio, Kay Costales, Gary Hutchinson, Shaun Berry, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Phil Speciale, Roxanne Speciale, Anthony Della Sala, Ed Smith, Taylor, John Pira, Gregory Harris, Ellie Hattori, Araceli Harris, Mike Ventimiglia, Colin Kageyama, Lisa Honda, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Setsuko Miyagawa, Robert Stanton, Carol Lancaster Brown, Doug Forzani, Don Davison, David Casas, Jill Harris, Del Brown, Rick Hattori, Alan Amemiya, Leonora Harris, Randall Harris, Brad Harris, Josette Harris Quinn
(continued from above ...)
As promised, prior to the plaque installation the City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department completed a comprehensive renovation of Peter J. Ferrante Park, which included repainting of the park's building in a "Monterey Adobe / Monterey Green Wood Trim" color scheme, cosmetic exterior wall repairs, a new roof, new backstop boards and backstop padding, resurfacing of the infield skin with the same custom volcanic cinder + clay material used in the best baseball/softball parks, and upgrading of the picnic area.
"ICHI'S FIELD" MEMORIAL BENCH
And as was announced at the May 5, 2018 event, surplus donations over and above the target goal were applied towards the purchase of a Memorial Bench that was installed by the City on June 21, 2018. The bench is now permanently embedded in asphalt directly under the Ichi Miyagawa plaque, inscribed with a 2" x 10" nameplate that simply reads: "ICHI'S FIELD."
The substantial 135 lb. synthetic wood, fiberglass and steel bench was purchased directly from a specialty park bench manufacturer recommended by the City. It is anchored at an ideal location, in alignment with home plate, pitcher's mound, and 2nd base, right under the Ichi Plaque. For some, this spot may become the ballpark's most popular seating location because it provides excellent "behind-home-plate" game views - similar to Ichi's perspective of the game.
(More information on the bench is further down this page, along with a breakdown of total donations and applications of funds.)
Special thanks to Annamarie Stanton and to Rick and Ellie Hattori for helping make the event such a success.
And thanks to those who donated to the Ichi Miyagawa memorial fund: The Miyagawa Family, John Pira, Donna Aldrete Bua, Craig Smith, Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Mel Hagio, Patrick Duffy, Rick and Ellie Hattori, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Monterey Buddhist Temple, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Harris Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris and Robert Stanton.
~ Derek Morris and Robert Stanton
As promised, prior to the plaque installation the City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department completed a comprehensive renovation of Peter J. Ferrante Park, which included repainting of the park's building in a "Monterey Adobe / Monterey Green Wood Trim" color scheme, cosmetic exterior wall repairs, a new roof, new backstop boards and backstop padding, resurfacing of the infield skin with the same custom volcanic cinder + clay material used in the best baseball/softball parks, and upgrading of the picnic area.
"ICHI'S FIELD" MEMORIAL BENCH
And as was announced at the May 5, 2018 event, surplus donations over and above the target goal were applied towards the purchase of a Memorial Bench that was installed by the City on June 21, 2018. The bench is now permanently embedded in asphalt directly under the Ichi Miyagawa plaque, inscribed with a 2" x 10" nameplate that simply reads: "ICHI'S FIELD."
The substantial 135 lb. synthetic wood, fiberglass and steel bench was purchased directly from a specialty park bench manufacturer recommended by the City. It is anchored at an ideal location, in alignment with home plate, pitcher's mound, and 2nd base, right under the Ichi Plaque. For some, this spot may become the ballpark's most popular seating location because it provides excellent "behind-home-plate" game views - similar to Ichi's perspective of the game.
(More information on the bench is further down this page, along with a breakdown of total donations and applications of funds.)
Special thanks to Annamarie Stanton and to Rick and Ellie Hattori for helping make the event such a success.
And thanks to those who donated to the Ichi Miyagawa memorial fund: The Miyagawa Family, John Pira, Donna Aldrete Bua, Craig Smith, Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Mel Hagio, Patrick Duffy, Rick and Ellie Hattori, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Monterey Buddhist Temple, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Harris Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris and Robert Stanton.
~ Derek Morris and Robert Stanton
(Photo Credits: Thanks to Chris Dubois for his excellent SLR photos. Thanks also to Annamarie Stanton, Carol Lancaster, Peter Tweedt, Ellie Hattori, Linda Kadani, Anthony Della Sala, Robert Stanton, and Derek Morris for their photos. If you took any pictures at the event, we would like to add them! Please email to us!)
Roxanne Speciale, Phil Speciale, Steve Martin
Don Davison, Peter Tweedt, Doug Forzani, (and to left of photo the excellent PA/mic/sound system set up and provided by Robert Stanton)
Lee Miyamoto, Brad Harris, Bob Miyamoto
Colin Kageyama, Steve Martin, John PIra, Martha Smith, Mark Smith, Akemi Ito, Dan Albert Sr., Don Davison, Kay Costales, Mel Hagio, Gary Hutchinson, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Robert Stanton, Derek Morris, Laura Armbruster, Phil Speciale
Phil Speciale, Scott Harris, Ed Smith, David Casas, Anthony Della Sala, John Pira, Don Davison, Antonia Ruccello, Dan Albert Sr., J.J. Ruccello, Chuck Della Sala, Dan Albert Jr., Mike Ventimiglia
Alan Amemiya, Del Brown, Josette Harris Quinn, Araceli Harris, Setsuko Miyagawa, Leonora Harris
Don Davison, Del Brown, Derek Morris, Ellie Hattori, Steve Martin, Joan Costello, Alan Amemiya, Rick Hattori, Lisa Honda, Linda Kadani
Carol Lancaster Brown, Derek Morris, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa) Robert Stanton
Chuck Della Sala, Del Brown, Derek Morris, Robert Stanton, Doug Forzani
David Casas, Annamarie Stanton, Akemi Ito
Ed Smith, Antonia Ruccello, Lewis Leader, Gary Hutchinson, Kay Costales
Mel Hagio, Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Roxanne Speciale, Mike Ventimiglia
Mike Ventimiglia, Roxanne Speciale, Lee Miyamoto, Colin Kageyama, Del Brown
Scott Harris, Gregory Harris, Randall Harris, Brad Harris
Rose Della Sala, Charles Della Sala, Laura Armbruster, Anthony Della Sala, Antonio Della Sala
Ed Smith, Lewis Leader, Robert Stanton, Derek Morris, Mel Hagio, Joanne Risedorph Herren, Alan Herren, Brad Harris
Mel Hagio, Dan Albert Jr.
Scott Harris, Derek Morris, Robert Stanton
Lisa Honda, Josette Harris Quinn, Araceli Harris, Rick Hattori, David Casas, Leonora Harris, Jill Harris, Gregory Harris, Randall Harris, Peter Tweedt, Lee Miyamoto, Brad Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Donnie Enea, Don Davison
Del Brown, Carol Lancaster Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa, Ellie Hattori, Josette Harris Quinn, Lisa Honda, David Casas, Araceli Harris, Leonora Harris, Greg Harris, Jill Harris, Randall Harris, Lee Miyamoto, Rick Hattori
Mel Hagio, Roxanne Speciale, Phil Speciale, Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Anthony Della Sala, Chuck Della Sala, Mike Ventimiglia, Derek Morris, Scott Harris, TBD, Robert Stanton, Doug Forzani
Phil Speciale, Doug Forzani, Peter Tweedt, Robert Stanton, Derek Morris, Joanne Risedorph Herren, Mel Hagio, Alan Herren
Randall Harris
Araceli Harris, Gregory Harris, Mark Smith Mel Hagio, Roxanne Speciale, Derek Morris, Setsuko Miyagawa
Don Davison, Del Brown, Derek Morris, Ellie Hattori, Steve Martin, Joan Costello, Alan Amemiya, Rick Hattori, Lisa Honda
Gary Hutchinson, Jill Harris, Randall Harris, Leonora Harris, Scott Harris, Linda Kadani, TBD, Akemi Ito
Scott Harris, Gregory Harris, Josette Harris Quinn, Randall Harris, Brad Harris
TBD, Chuck Della Sala, Lewis Leader, Dan Albert, Del Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa, Carol Lancaster Brown, Doug Forzani
Bob Miyamoto, Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Lee Miyamoto, Steve Martin, Josette Harris Quinn
Annamarie Stanton, Don Davison, Phil Speciale, Del Brown, Lewis Leader, Roxanne Speciale, Derek Morris, Alan Amemiya, Mike Ventimiglia
Shaun Berry, Colin Kageyama, Brad Harris
Colin Kageyama, Steve Martin, John Pira, Martha Smith, Mark Smith, Akemi Ito, Dan Albert Jr., Robert Stanton, Derek Morris
|
David Casas, Alan Amemiya, Randall Harris, Gregory Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Josette Harris Quinn, Rick Hattori, Brad Harris, Araceli Harris, Del Brown
|
Gregory Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Josette Harris Quinn, Brad Harris, Araceli Harris, Del Brown, Leonora Harris, Jill Harris, Carol Lancaster Brown, Antonia Ruccello, Setsuko Miyagawa, Ellie Hattori, Lisa Honda, Taylor, Shaun Berry
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Del Brown, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Carol Lancaster Brown
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Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Carol Lancaster Brown
|
Phil Speciale, Steve Martin, Joan Costello, John PIra
|
Gary Hutchinson, Ed Smith, Dan Albert Jr., Derek Morris, Anthony Della Sala, Robert Stanton, Antonia Ruccello, Doug Forzani
Steve Martin, Mark Smith, Joan Costello
|
Bob Miyamoto, Steve Martin, Araceli Harris, Chris Dubois, Leonora Harris, Jill Harris, John Pira
Don Davison, TBD, Dan Albert Sr, Kay Costales, Suzanne Mucha, Mel Hagio, Harry Mucha, Laura Armbruster, Roxanne Speciale, Phil Speciale, Antonio Della Sala, Ed Smith, Scott Harris
Mel Hagio, Joanne Risedorph Herren, Alan Herren, Brad Harris
|
Scott Harris, Greg Harris, Josette Harris Quinn, Randall Harris, Brad Harris
ADDENDUM
From Derek Morris
A few more words about the May 5 dedication event and "how we got here:"
As Robert said, it all started when we were age four and met at Mrs. (Beverly) Mueller's nursery school in Pacific Grove! Fast forward to 2015 during a Monterey High class reunion when I was in town from Santa Barbara visiting; Robert's mother Jeanne stopped by Robert and Annamarie's home with a beautifully preserved photo album recently located that was filled with all of our Monte Vista Elementary class photos from Kindergarten through 6th grade! I decided right there to create a website** and to add the Little League and Babe Ruth team photo yearbooks which I had saved. None of this information had ever been put online before. In this digital age, somebody needed to do it!
So with those Monte Vista elementary photos in front of us, we started talking about our recollections of two big influences from 3rd through 6th grade during ages 9-12: Little League and Ichi! We had always loved Ichi and really looked forward to playing games at Monterey Little League Park where he umpired each and every game without exception. Ichi ran the place and it was his domain; to us it was always "ICHI'S FIELD!" But still at this point in time - October 2015 - we didn't even know anything about the man. Ichi was a childhood legend to us, yet years later we didn't even know his last name! We wondered, is Ichi still with us? Does he live in Monterey? What is his story? And if he is still with us, it sure would be nice to finally reconnect and to express our appreciation!
So after some further investigation and digging, with the help of Monterey Public Library research librarian Victor Henry and historian Dennis Copeland, Monterey Buddhist Temple's Reverend Jay Shinseki, and 1960's-era coaches Don Davison (Derek's Herald coach) and Eddie Leonard (Shulken & Morton coach with Stoney Bruno), we finally located two detailed articles about Ichi Miyagawa written in the Herald by veteran feature writer and reporter Dennis Taylor. One article was a 1999 feature story about Ichi where at age 86 he threw out the "first pitch" at the national Bronco World Series game in Monterey; the other piece sadly was an extensive Ichi Miyagawa obituary from 2002.
The 1999 feature article and the 2002 obituary (reprinted below) together told a fascinating story of Ichi's life, and there were tributes from people we grew up with which echoed many of our memories and feelings. The articles also contained some key information: Ichi had co-founded the Monterey Little League program in 1952. He served continuously as the chief umpire at Monterey Little League Park from the time the park was completed in 1955 through 1972. Plus, Ichi had volunteered at Monterey Little League Park throughout that time period; for eighteen years, Ichi had donated his time for free!
Significantly, the 2002 obituary also reported that the City of Monterey was planning to rename the Little League Park after Ichi Miyagawa! Whaaat...???! Well, this obviously never happened. The momentum and "political will" was not sustained, although Dennis Taylor's reporting implied that the renaming was a "done deal." (When asked recently, Dennis today doesn't remember the circumstances and politics back in 2002).
So the more we learned, the more we realized that this great man Ichi Miyagawa needed to be honored! Our initial intent was the never-quite-accomplished renaming of the ballpark after Ichi, though we knew this was a bit of a pipe dream. Robert did a reality check with former mayors Dan Albert Sr. and Chuck Della Sala. Both essentially confirmed that any park "name change" wasn't very likely. Too much time had passed, memories fade, it is a different group of people now in both elected and in many City staff positions so the "institutional memory" was not as strong. Plus, Monterey Little League Park had already been "renamed" in the late 70's to "Peter J. Ferrante Park." Renaming of the park was politically a non-starter.
As we explored further, we did think that there might be another route to honoring Ichi. We came up with the concept of a beautiful engraved bronze "tribute plaque" showing Ichi "in action" as an umpire; a plaque in the exact shape of the home plate where Ichi called balls and strikes for eighteen years. The plaque could be installed on the wall directly facing the infield, in perfect alignment with home plate and pitcher's mound. It would be the first tribute plaque ever to be approved in the ballpark's sixty-three-year existence.
And that is how this project all started. It was a long process of getting City Parks and Recreation Department management engaged and of educating them about Ichi's great story, of rallying support of local community leaders (including Chuck Della Sala and others who played Little League under Ichi, and Dan Albert Sr.) and Monterey PONY league officials. It involved developing plaque design and wording alternatives, and of working with a City-recommended foundry; over time we counted at least nine different design iterations. In addition, there was the primary task of simply locating a "useable" photo of Ichi to incorporate into the plaque design itself! Surprisingly we still have been able to locate only one photo of Ichi! But with some initial "Photoshop magic" from me and then significant additional graphics help from the foundry, a great design resulted which was enthusiastically approved by the City.
One great early "indicator" that we were on the right path: Both Robert and Annamarie were at PJF Park about to take pictures of the proposed plaque as it would be situated on the wall. They were using a "real size" laminated photo/cardboard mock-up they had fabricated, which was to be part of the "final submission" to the City. The City had expressed concern that a "real-size" home plate might be "too big." A photo of the mock-up plaque in perspective would hopefully assure the City that the size would be appropriate.
So just as Robert was positioning the mock-up plaque to take photos, he heard a voice from behind him! Here is how Robert described it:
"Upon placing a laminated photocopy of Ichi’s Homeplate Plaque for the very first time, I immediately heard these words of enthusiasm behind me: 'Ichi was great. He was an icon. Best ump ever!' This spontaneous response came from the girls' softball coach whose team was practicing on the field. The synchronicity of his comment at this moment struck me as a confirmation of the placement, size, and impact of the plaque! He was able to read Ichi’s name from just behind home plate. His response after coming up to read the text was 'PERFECT!' " ~ Robert Stanton
The softball coach had also played Little League under Ichi. And though they didn't initially recognize each other, Robert (and Derek) knew the coach - they had gone to Monterey High and Colton together. We took this as a great sign that Ichi fans are everywhere, and that there was a lot of "pent-up demand" for an Ichi tribute!
So once full approval was secured from the City, money was raised from a group of supportive and enthusiastic donors. The plaque, expertly fabricated by the Illinois-based foundry, was installed by the City at the newly refurbished, repainted and renovated Peter J. Ferrante Park. The City absorbed costs of plaque installation and they did a very thorough job. (Thanks to Louie Marcuzzo of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department.) And the May 5 dedication pictured here took place!
Robert Stanton added one interesting perspective at the dedication: the Ichi Miyagawa Tribute Plaque is now a permanent physical part of the ballpark; it will outlast any potential park "renaming" that could ever possibly take place in the distant future if political winds change direction.
The Tribute Plaque and the inscribed Memorial Bench now finally and forever announce to all that this park truly is "ICHI'S FIELD!"
~DM
From Derek Morris
A few more words about the May 5 dedication event and "how we got here:"
As Robert said, it all started when we were age four and met at Mrs. (Beverly) Mueller's nursery school in Pacific Grove! Fast forward to 2015 during a Monterey High class reunion when I was in town from Santa Barbara visiting; Robert's mother Jeanne stopped by Robert and Annamarie's home with a beautifully preserved photo album recently located that was filled with all of our Monte Vista Elementary class photos from Kindergarten through 6th grade! I decided right there to create a website** and to add the Little League and Babe Ruth team photo yearbooks which I had saved. None of this information had ever been put online before. In this digital age, somebody needed to do it!
So with those Monte Vista elementary photos in front of us, we started talking about our recollections of two big influences from 3rd through 6th grade during ages 9-12: Little League and Ichi! We had always loved Ichi and really looked forward to playing games at Monterey Little League Park where he umpired each and every game without exception. Ichi ran the place and it was his domain; to us it was always "ICHI'S FIELD!" But still at this point in time - October 2015 - we didn't even know anything about the man. Ichi was a childhood legend to us, yet years later we didn't even know his last name! We wondered, is Ichi still with us? Does he live in Monterey? What is his story? And if he is still with us, it sure would be nice to finally reconnect and to express our appreciation!
So after some further investigation and digging, with the help of Monterey Public Library research librarian Victor Henry and historian Dennis Copeland, Monterey Buddhist Temple's Reverend Jay Shinseki, and 1960's-era coaches Don Davison (Derek's Herald coach) and Eddie Leonard (Shulken & Morton coach with Stoney Bruno), we finally located two detailed articles about Ichi Miyagawa written in the Herald by veteran feature writer and reporter Dennis Taylor. One article was a 1999 feature story about Ichi where at age 86 he threw out the "first pitch" at the national Bronco World Series game in Monterey; the other piece sadly was an extensive Ichi Miyagawa obituary from 2002.
The 1999 feature article and the 2002 obituary (reprinted below) together told a fascinating story of Ichi's life, and there were tributes from people we grew up with which echoed many of our memories and feelings. The articles also contained some key information: Ichi had co-founded the Monterey Little League program in 1952. He served continuously as the chief umpire at Monterey Little League Park from the time the park was completed in 1955 through 1972. Plus, Ichi had volunteered at Monterey Little League Park throughout that time period; for eighteen years, Ichi had donated his time for free!
Significantly, the 2002 obituary also reported that the City of Monterey was planning to rename the Little League Park after Ichi Miyagawa! Whaaat...???! Well, this obviously never happened. The momentum and "political will" was not sustained, although Dennis Taylor's reporting implied that the renaming was a "done deal." (When asked recently, Dennis today doesn't remember the circumstances and politics back in 2002).
So the more we learned, the more we realized that this great man Ichi Miyagawa needed to be honored! Our initial intent was the never-quite-accomplished renaming of the ballpark after Ichi, though we knew this was a bit of a pipe dream. Robert did a reality check with former mayors Dan Albert Sr. and Chuck Della Sala. Both essentially confirmed that any park "name change" wasn't very likely. Too much time had passed, memories fade, it is a different group of people now in both elected and in many City staff positions so the "institutional memory" was not as strong. Plus, Monterey Little League Park had already been "renamed" in the late 70's to "Peter J. Ferrante Park." Renaming of the park was politically a non-starter.
As we explored further, we did think that there might be another route to honoring Ichi. We came up with the concept of a beautiful engraved bronze "tribute plaque" showing Ichi "in action" as an umpire; a plaque in the exact shape of the home plate where Ichi called balls and strikes for eighteen years. The plaque could be installed on the wall directly facing the infield, in perfect alignment with home plate and pitcher's mound. It would be the first tribute plaque ever to be approved in the ballpark's sixty-three-year existence.
And that is how this project all started. It was a long process of getting City Parks and Recreation Department management engaged and of educating them about Ichi's great story, of rallying support of local community leaders (including Chuck Della Sala and others who played Little League under Ichi, and Dan Albert Sr.) and Monterey PONY league officials. It involved developing plaque design and wording alternatives, and of working with a City-recommended foundry; over time we counted at least nine different design iterations. In addition, there was the primary task of simply locating a "useable" photo of Ichi to incorporate into the plaque design itself! Surprisingly we still have been able to locate only one photo of Ichi! But with some initial "Photoshop magic" from me and then significant additional graphics help from the foundry, a great design resulted which was enthusiastically approved by the City.
One great early "indicator" that we were on the right path: Both Robert and Annamarie were at PJF Park about to take pictures of the proposed plaque as it would be situated on the wall. They were using a "real size" laminated photo/cardboard mock-up they had fabricated, which was to be part of the "final submission" to the City. The City had expressed concern that a "real-size" home plate might be "too big." A photo of the mock-up plaque in perspective would hopefully assure the City that the size would be appropriate.
So just as Robert was positioning the mock-up plaque to take photos, he heard a voice from behind him! Here is how Robert described it:
"Upon placing a laminated photocopy of Ichi’s Homeplate Plaque for the very first time, I immediately heard these words of enthusiasm behind me: 'Ichi was great. He was an icon. Best ump ever!' This spontaneous response came from the girls' softball coach whose team was practicing on the field. The synchronicity of his comment at this moment struck me as a confirmation of the placement, size, and impact of the plaque! He was able to read Ichi’s name from just behind home plate. His response after coming up to read the text was 'PERFECT!' " ~ Robert Stanton
The softball coach had also played Little League under Ichi. And though they didn't initially recognize each other, Robert (and Derek) knew the coach - they had gone to Monterey High and Colton together. We took this as a great sign that Ichi fans are everywhere, and that there was a lot of "pent-up demand" for an Ichi tribute!
So once full approval was secured from the City, money was raised from a group of supportive and enthusiastic donors. The plaque, expertly fabricated by the Illinois-based foundry, was installed by the City at the newly refurbished, repainted and renovated Peter J. Ferrante Park. The City absorbed costs of plaque installation and they did a very thorough job. (Thanks to Louie Marcuzzo of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department.) And the May 5 dedication pictured here took place!
Robert Stanton added one interesting perspective at the dedication: the Ichi Miyagawa Tribute Plaque is now a permanent physical part of the ballpark; it will outlast any potential park "renaming" that could ever possibly take place in the distant future if political winds change direction.
The Tribute Plaque and the inscribed Memorial Bench now finally and forever announce to all that this park truly is "ICHI'S FIELD!"
~DM
** And since starting the "Digital Scrapbook" website in late 2015, it continues to expand as more photos, clippings, etc. come in. There are Little League and Babe Ruth League team photo yearbooks dating from Monterey Little League's first year in 1952 up to 1967. There are youth baseball newspaper clippings from the Herald ranging from the early 1950's to late 1960's and video clips of our 1964 Little League All-Star games (thanks to Mark Smith!). Plus historic Frost Bombers, American Legion and other Monterey youth baseball team and ballpark photos from the 1940's and earlier. There are historic photos of Jacks Park dating back to 1908 and pictures when the park had 7000-seat capacity wooden bleachers built in 1928 that were torn down in 1954. We also now have added all grade-level Monte Vista class photos (four kindergarten and three classes each of grades 1-6), and class photos of our peers from the elementary schools that fed into Colton and Fremont and became our MHS Class of 1970, plus yearbooks from Walter Colton, Monterey High, Junipero, and San Carlos, and Monterey High Galleon and Colton newspapers, MHS "The Word" creative writing / art magazines and much more.
And if you have any relevant class or team photos, clippings, stories, names, links or memorabilia to contribute, we would like to add them to this site!
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
This site address: derekmo.net or derekmo.weebly.com
And if you have any relevant class or team photos, clippings, stories, names, links or memorabilia to contribute, we would like to add them to this site!
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
This site address: derekmo.net or derekmo.weebly.com
DETAILS ON THE PLAQUE ITSELF
It is 17" x 17" with a single-beveled border, in the exact dimensions of a regulation "home plate" used in all organized baseball, from Little League to the Major Leagues.
The engraved bronze technology used here is best for this application. This process is best when including photos and a significant amount of text. Engraved plaques can accomodate more text than cast plaques and the photos and textures tend to be sharper. The fonts used are 'sans serif' to improve readability; plus engraved fonts visually "pop" better than text on cast plaques. The sophisticated CNC machining process used for bronze engraving allows for more subtle gradations of textures, and after CNC machining the plaque is hand rubbed to better bring out the relief design. The result is that the entire plaque has "relief" and "texture," from Ichi's "in action" photo, to the crosshatch in the baseball diamond infield, to the home plate and batter's box, to the radiating stripes of the outfield.
It is 17" x 17" with a single-beveled border, in the exact dimensions of a regulation "home plate" used in all organized baseball, from Little League to the Major Leagues.
The engraved bronze technology used here is best for this application. This process is best when including photos and a significant amount of text. Engraved plaques can accomodate more text than cast plaques and the photos and textures tend to be sharper. The fonts used are 'sans serif' to improve readability; plus engraved fonts visually "pop" better than text on cast plaques. The sophisticated CNC machining process used for bronze engraving allows for more subtle gradations of textures, and after CNC machining the plaque is hand rubbed to better bring out the relief design. The result is that the entire plaque has "relief" and "texture," from Ichi's "in action" photo, to the crosshatch in the baseball diamond infield, to the home plate and batter's box, to the radiating stripes of the outfield.
Martha Smith, Steve Martin, Mark Smith, Susan Mucha, Harry Mucha, Akemi Ito, Mel Hagio, Kay Costales, Gary Hutchinson, Shaun Berry, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Phil Speciale, Roxanne Speciale, Anthony Della Sala, Ed Smith, Taylor, John Pira, Gregory Harris, Ellie Hattori, Araceli Harris, Mike Ventimiglia, Colin Kageyama, Lisa Honda, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Setsuko Miyagawa, Robert Stanton, Carol Lancaster Brown, Doug Forzani, Don Davison, David Casas, Jill Harris, Del Brown, Rick Hattori, Alan Amemiya, Leonora Harris, Randall Harris, Brad Harris, Josette Harris Quinn
Akemi Ito, Don Davison
Phil Speciale, Roxanne Speciale, Ed Smith, David Casas, Anthony Della Sala, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, John Pira, Don Davison, Antonia Ruccello, Dan Albert Sr., Scott Harris, Chuck Della Sala, Mike Ventimiglia
Derek Morris, Steve Martin
Steve Martin, Martha Smith, Mark Smith
Lee Miyamoto, Linda Kadani, Setsuko Miyagawa, Jill Harris, Ellie Hattori, Donnie Enea, Lisa Honda, Don Davison, Lewis Leader, Robert Stanton, "Chewy" the dog, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Rose Della Sala, Charles Della Sala, Laura Armbruster, Anthony Della Sala, Antonio Della Sala
Martha Smith, Mark Smith, Akemi Ito, Mel Hagio, Suzanne Mucha, Randall Harris, Harry Mucha, Kay Costales
Robert Stanton, Steve Martin, Joanne Risedorph Herren
Mike Ventimiglia, Robert Stanton, Doug Forzani, Rick Hattori
Carol Lancaster Brown, Alan Amemiya, Del Brown, Josette Harris Quinn
Kay Costales, Harry Mucha, Gary Hutchinson, Scott Harris, Ed Smith, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Antonia Ruccello, J.J. Ruccello, Anthony Della Sala, Robert Stanton, Chuck Della Sala
Araceli Harris, Setsuko Miyagawa, Leonora Harris, Jill Harris, Chris Dubois, Ellie Hattori
Rick Hattori, David Casas, Leonora Harris, Jill Harris, Gregory Harris, Randall Harris, Peter Tweedt, Lee Miyamoto, Brad Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Donnie Enea, Don Davison, Lewis Leader
TBD, Derek Morris, Chuck Della Sala, Doug Forzani, Del Brown
John Pira, Akemi Ito, Dan Albert Sr.
Ellie Hattori, Anthony Della Sala, Alan Herren, Joanne Risedorph Herren, Lee Miyamoto, Jill Harris
Donnie Enea, Don Davison, Lewis Leader
Scott Harris, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Akemi Ito, Mel Hagio, Randall Harris, Greg Harris, Kay Costales, John PIra, Don Davison
Ellie Hattori, Taylor, Shaun Berry
Chuck Della Sala, Dan Albert Jr., Mike Ventimiglia, Robert Stanton, Doug Forzani, Rick Hattori
Dan Albert Jr., Roxananne Speciale, Mike Ventimiglia, Phil Speciale, Steve Martin, Mark Smith, Joan Costello
Chuck Della Sala, Carol Lancaster Brown, Derek Morris, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa)
Greg Harris
Josette Harris Quinn, Randall Harris, Rick Hattori, Ellie Hattori, Anthony Della Sala
Don Davison, Peter Tweedt, Doug Forzani (and to the left the PA Equipment provided and set up by Robert Stanton !)
Del Brown
Roxanne and Phil Speciale
Setsuko Miyagawa, Robert Stanton
Mel Hagio, Suzanne Mucha, Randall Harris, Harry Mucha, Kay Costales, Gary Hutchinson, Phil Speciale, Roxanne Speciale, Ed Smith, David Casas, Anthony Della Sala, John Pira
Donnie Enea, Robert Stanton, Derek Morris, Joanne Risedorph Herren
TBD, J.J. Ruccello, Suzanne Mucha, Harry Mucha, Chris Dubois, Randall Harris, Jill Harris, Leonora Harris, Mark Smith, Greg Harris, Colin Kageyama, Lee Miyamoto, Bob Miyamoto, David Casas
Derek Morris, Robert Stanton
Derek Morris and Robert Stanton with Plaque for Ichi Miyagawa ....
(Practicing their martial arts moves of forearm blocks and front-elbow strikes?) .......
(Swatting away a swarm of invading killer bees?) .....
(Demonstrating their "Ichi Miyagawa Plaque Dedication and Celebration" Dance Moves?)
(continued from above ...)
People Who Attended Ichi Miyagawa Dedication
May 5, 2018
Akemi Ito, Alan Amemiya, Alan Herren, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Anthony Della Sala, Antonia Ruccello, Antonio Della Sala, Araceli Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Brad Harris, Carol Lancaster Brown, Charles Della Sala, Chris Dubois, Chuck Della Sala, Colin Kageyama, Dan Albert Jr., Dan Albert Sr., David Casas, Del Brown, Derek Morris, Don Davison, Donnie Enea, Doug Forzani, Ed Smith, Ellie Hattori, Gary Hutchinson, Greg Harris, Harry Mucha, Jill Harris, J.J. Ruccello, Joan Costello, Joanne Risedorph Herren, John Pira, Josette Harris Quinn, Kay Costales, Laura Armbruster, Lee Miyamoto, Leonora Harris, Lewis Leader, Linda Kadani, Lisa Honda, Mark Smith, Martha Smith, Mel Hagio, Mike Ventimiglia, Peter Tweedt, Phil Speciale, Randall Harris, Rick Hattori, Robert Stanton, Rose Della Sala, Roxanne Speciale, Scott Harris, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Shaun Berry, Steve Martin, Suzanne Mucha, Taylor ___. (Plus Chewy the dog!)
(continued below ...)
People Who Attended Ichi Miyagawa Dedication
May 5, 2018
Akemi Ito, Alan Amemiya, Alan Herren, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Anthony Della Sala, Antonia Ruccello, Antonio Della Sala, Araceli Harris, Bob Miyamoto, Brad Harris, Carol Lancaster Brown, Charles Della Sala, Chris Dubois, Chuck Della Sala, Colin Kageyama, Dan Albert Jr., Dan Albert Sr., David Casas, Del Brown, Derek Morris, Don Davison, Donnie Enea, Doug Forzani, Ed Smith, Ellie Hattori, Gary Hutchinson, Greg Harris, Harry Mucha, Jill Harris, J.J. Ruccello, Joan Costello, Joanne Risedorph Herren, John Pira, Josette Harris Quinn, Kay Costales, Laura Armbruster, Lee Miyamoto, Leonora Harris, Lewis Leader, Linda Kadani, Lisa Honda, Mark Smith, Martha Smith, Mel Hagio, Mike Ventimiglia, Peter Tweedt, Phil Speciale, Randall Harris, Rick Hattori, Robert Stanton, Rose Della Sala, Roxanne Speciale, Scott Harris, Setsuko Miyagawa (Mrs. Ichi Miyagawa), Shaun Berry, Steve Martin, Suzanne Mucha, Taylor ___. (Plus Chewy the dog!)
(continued below ...)
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|
|
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MEMORIAL BENCH
And as we announced at the May 5, 2018 event, surplus donations over and above our target goal have been applied towards the purchase of a beautiful Memorial Bench that was installed June 21, 2018. The bench is permanently embedded in asphalt directly under the Ichi Miyagawa plaque. The bench is inscribed with a 2" x 10" nameplate that simply reads: "ICHI'S FIELD"
(Continued below...)
And as we announced at the May 5, 2018 event, surplus donations over and above our target goal have been applied towards the purchase of a beautiful Memorial Bench that was installed June 21, 2018. The bench is permanently embedded in asphalt directly under the Ichi Miyagawa plaque. The bench is inscribed with a 2" x 10" nameplate that simply reads: "ICHI'S FIELD"
(Continued below...)
MEMORIAL BENCH
And as we announced at the May 5, 2018 event, surplus donations over and above our target goal have been applied towards the purchase of a beautiful Memorial Bench that was installed June 21, 2018. The bench is permanently embedded in asphalt directly under the Ichi Miyagawa plaque. The bench is inscribed with a 2" x 10" nameplate that simply reads: "ICHI'S FIELD"
The substantial 135 lb. bench purchased directly from a specialty park bench manufacturer recommended by the City, is anchored at an ideal location - at the base of the wall directly facing the infield. It is in alignment with home plate, pitcher's mound, and 2nd base, right under the Ichi Miyagawa Plaque. For some, this spot may become the ballpark's most popular seating location, because it provides excellent "behind-home-plate" game views - similar to Ichi's perspective of the game as he worked directly with an estimated 2500-3000 individual kids as a volunteer umpire for eighteen years!
We hope that the bench will also assist people in the "Ichi discovery process." Those watching the game from that location might notice the ICHI'S FIELD nameplate, then look behind them and learn more about the "Legend of Ichi!" And as has been remarked, with the Ichi Miyagawa Plaque and Memorial Bench directly behind home plate, Ichi's spirit will continue to keep an eye on the well being of all future Little Leaguers / youth baseball / softball players who play on the field!
The City of Monterey absorbed costs of bench installation, which involved anchoring the rugged 135 lb. synthetic wood, fiberglass and steel bench into asphalt and permanently attaching the ICHI'S FIELD nameplate.
Thanks to Louie Marcuzzo of Monterey Parks and Recreation for recommending "City-approved" bench manufacturers and for coordinating direct-to-the-City delivery logistics. The City also arranged for direct purchase of the bench from the manufacturer "at cost," with no additional markup or city administrative fees. Thanks also to Federico Shoe Service (Henry Federico) for the donation of the bench inscription plate; Henry played in Monterey Little League and also loved Ichi!
The bench was purchased with "surplus" donations over and above the fundraising goal. The initial target was $1800 and $2651 from 28 generous donors was received. Special thanks to the Miyagawa Family for helping put the campaign "over the top" with their final contribution, assuring completion of the bench purchase.
Please note that 100% of the $2651 in donations has now been fully disbursed! The account balance is zero. Breakdown of donations and expenses is below.
And thanks to all campaign donors: The Miyagawa Family, John Pira, Donna Aldrete Bua, Craig Smith, Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Mel Hagio, Patrick Duffy, Rick and Ellie Hattori, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Monterey Buddhist Temple, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Harris Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris and Robert Stanton.
(continued below ...)
And as we announced at the May 5, 2018 event, surplus donations over and above our target goal have been applied towards the purchase of a beautiful Memorial Bench that was installed June 21, 2018. The bench is permanently embedded in asphalt directly under the Ichi Miyagawa plaque. The bench is inscribed with a 2" x 10" nameplate that simply reads: "ICHI'S FIELD"
The substantial 135 lb. bench purchased directly from a specialty park bench manufacturer recommended by the City, is anchored at an ideal location - at the base of the wall directly facing the infield. It is in alignment with home plate, pitcher's mound, and 2nd base, right under the Ichi Miyagawa Plaque. For some, this spot may become the ballpark's most popular seating location, because it provides excellent "behind-home-plate" game views - similar to Ichi's perspective of the game as he worked directly with an estimated 2500-3000 individual kids as a volunteer umpire for eighteen years!
We hope that the bench will also assist people in the "Ichi discovery process." Those watching the game from that location might notice the ICHI'S FIELD nameplate, then look behind them and learn more about the "Legend of Ichi!" And as has been remarked, with the Ichi Miyagawa Plaque and Memorial Bench directly behind home plate, Ichi's spirit will continue to keep an eye on the well being of all future Little Leaguers / youth baseball / softball players who play on the field!
The City of Monterey absorbed costs of bench installation, which involved anchoring the rugged 135 lb. synthetic wood, fiberglass and steel bench into asphalt and permanently attaching the ICHI'S FIELD nameplate.
Thanks to Louie Marcuzzo of Monterey Parks and Recreation for recommending "City-approved" bench manufacturers and for coordinating direct-to-the-City delivery logistics. The City also arranged for direct purchase of the bench from the manufacturer "at cost," with no additional markup or city administrative fees. Thanks also to Federico Shoe Service (Henry Federico) for the donation of the bench inscription plate; Henry played in Monterey Little League and also loved Ichi!
The bench was purchased with "surplus" donations over and above the fundraising goal. The initial target was $1800 and $2651 from 28 generous donors was received. Special thanks to the Miyagawa Family for helping put the campaign "over the top" with their final contribution, assuring completion of the bench purchase.
Please note that 100% of the $2651 in donations has now been fully disbursed! The account balance is zero. Breakdown of donations and expenses is below.
And thanks to all campaign donors: The Miyagawa Family, John Pira, Donna Aldrete Bua, Craig Smith, Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Mel Hagio, Patrick Duffy, Rick and Ellie Hattori, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Monterey Buddhist Temple, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Harris Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris and Robert Stanton.
(continued below ...)
Picnic Area of Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Ballpark) - Monterey, California
Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Ballpark) - Monterey, California
Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Ballpark) - Monterey, California
Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Ballpark) - Monterey, California
(MORE INFORMATION ON ICHI MIYAGAWA BELOW)
(EARLIER ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE BELOW)
TRIBUTE PLANNED FOR UMPIRE ICHI MIYAGAWA
ICHI MIYAGAWA TO BE HONORED
WITH PLAQUE AT
MONTEREY LITTLE LEAGUE PARK
(PETER J. FERRANTE PARK)
WITH PLAQUE AT
MONTEREY LITTLE LEAGUE PARK
(PETER J. FERRANTE PARK)
Update: Saturday, April 21, 2018
The Ichi Miyagawa Plaque Dedication and Party Is In TWO WEEKS!
Saturday May 5, 2018
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Peter J. Ferrante Park (Monterey Little League Park)
Palo Verde & Garden Avenues, Monterey
Immediately after the 1PM - 2PM plaque dedication, a party and celebration will take place "next door" in the beautifully renovated picnic area located behind the very tall right field fence. The picnic area is reserved for the entire afternoon - from 11AM to 7PM, allowing for plenty of pre-ceremony and post-ceremony socializing.
And we are happy to announce that for those who RSVP by Tuesday May 1, burritos catered by Chipotle will be served.
We are only ordering the number of burritos for which we have received RSVP's - and they'll have your name on them!
You can choose from these burrito options:
- vegan (shredded tofu, tends to be more "spicy" - these are called Sofritas)
- vegetarian (beans & cheese, rice, mild salsa)
- chicken (with beans, cheese, rice, mild salsa)
- beef (with beans, cheese, rice, mild salsa)
(Included with all burritos: sides of guacamole, sour cream and tortilla chips.)
(Be assured that we're incorporating an extra layer of recommended USDA cooking/heating temperature guidelines to assure optimum food safety.)
So please RSVP (to either Derek or Robert - emails below) by Tuesday May 1 to reserve your burrito! Please specify vegan, vegetarian, chicken, or beef and the number of people in your party.
There will also be soft drinks, cake and refreshments generously provided by Rick and Ellie Hattori and the Villa Del Monte Neighborhood Association.
And the City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department has furnished an alcohol permit for the event. So feel free to bring wine, beer, spirits or whatever on a BYOB to share basis.
This will be a great opportunity for fellow Monterey Little League alumni to re-connect to honor beloved umpire Ichi Miyagawa. We estimate that Ichi had direct interaction with perhaps 2500 to 3000 of us individual Monterey Little Leaguers over his eighteen seasons as head umpire at Monterey Little League Park between 1955 - 1972. And remember, for each of those eighteen seasons, Ichi volunteered his time for free! Not to mention that he spent his own dollar (equivalent to about $7.75 today) on snack shack candy rewards each time a player hit a home run out of the park!
In closing, at this point we are asking people to think of any "Ichi stories" they might like to share at the event. Everybody seems to have an Ichi story! This will help paint the best picture of what a uniquely inspiring and larger-than-life personality Ichi was. We will have a small panel of speakers sharing their own memories of Ichi, including former Monterey Mayor Chuck Della Sala. Chuck was a Monterey Little Leaguer and played for the Monterey Herald (as did Derek Morris). We'll circulate one or two microphones so everybody who wants to can join in. It will be fun and very informal.
More info on the life of Ichi Miyagawa, the plaque fundraising campaign, photos of the completed plaque and of the recently renovated Peter J. Ferrante Ballpark can be found at the links below.
www.gofundme.com/ichi-tribute
www.derekmo.net/ichi
Thanks to those who have donated to the Ichi Miyagawa plaque fund: The Miyagawa Family, John Pira, Donna Aldrete Bua, Craig Smith, Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Mel Hagio, Patrick Duffy, Rick and Ellie Hattori, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Monterey Buddhist Temple, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Harris Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris and Robert Stanton.
We look forward to seeing you May 5 at 1PM!
Again, please RSVP by Tuesday May 1 and reserve your burrito with your name on it!
Robert Stanton
[email protected]
Derek Morris
[email protected]
PS: (Thanks to Monterey PONY League for setting aside ample time between their normally scheduled games on Saturday May 5 to allow for the 1PM - 2PM plaque dedication event.)
(Photos by Robert and Annamarie Stanton)
Update: March 29, 2018
Date and time for the Ichi Miyagawa plaque dedication ceremony is confirmed!
1:00 - 2:00 PM, Saturday May 5, 2018
This will be a great opportunity for fellow Monterey Little League alumni to re-connect to honor beloved umpire Ichi Miyagawa.
Monterey PONY League has set aside the full one hour 1PM - 2PM time slot between their scheduled games on Saturday May 5 to allow for the plaque dedication.
We all have some great Ichi stories and the ceremony will definitely include some of those stories! One of the confirmed event speakers is former Monterey Mayor Chuck Della Sala, a former Little Leaguer and local baseball supporter who also played under Ichi. More details of the program and speakers to follow.
After the ceremony, a party and celebration will take place "next door" in the beautifully renovated picnic area behind the 30 ft. tall right field fence.
The picnic area is reserved for the entire afternoon - from 11AM to 7PM. So there will be lots of opportunity for pre-ceremony and post-ceremony socializing. Light food and refreshments and desserts will be provided, with the help of Rick and Ellie Hattori and the Villa Del Monte Neighborhood Association.
The City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department has also furnished an alcohol permit for the event. So feel free to bring wine, beer or spirits on a "BYOB to share" basis. A number of people are also bringing food to share. (More details on food arrangements to follow.)
If you are attending, an RSVP with the expected number in your group would be appreciated for planning purposes!
The gofundme.com/ichi-tribute site will continue to stay open to accept donations. Others who did not yet get a chance to donate have expressed an interest in honoring Ichi's memory. Our intent is that any "surplus" donation funds be applied towards baseball equipment purchases on behalf of Monterey youth. We think Ichi would strongly support this!
Again, thanks to those who have donated so far. They are: Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Patrick Duffy, Mike Marotta, Mel Hagio, Ed Leonard, Monterey Buddhist Temple, Rick Hattori, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris and Robert Stanton.
Date and time for the Ichi Miyagawa plaque dedication ceremony is confirmed!
1:00 - 2:00 PM, Saturday May 5, 2018
This will be a great opportunity for fellow Monterey Little League alumni to re-connect to honor beloved umpire Ichi Miyagawa.
Monterey PONY League has set aside the full one hour 1PM - 2PM time slot between their scheduled games on Saturday May 5 to allow for the plaque dedication.
We all have some great Ichi stories and the ceremony will definitely include some of those stories! One of the confirmed event speakers is former Monterey Mayor Chuck Della Sala, a former Little Leaguer and local baseball supporter who also played under Ichi. More details of the program and speakers to follow.
After the ceremony, a party and celebration will take place "next door" in the beautifully renovated picnic area behind the 30 ft. tall right field fence.
The picnic area is reserved for the entire afternoon - from 11AM to 7PM. So there will be lots of opportunity for pre-ceremony and post-ceremony socializing. Light food and refreshments and desserts will be provided, with the help of Rick and Ellie Hattori and the Villa Del Monte Neighborhood Association.
The City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department has also furnished an alcohol permit for the event. So feel free to bring wine, beer or spirits on a "BYOB to share" basis. A number of people are also bringing food to share. (More details on food arrangements to follow.)
If you are attending, an RSVP with the expected number in your group would be appreciated for planning purposes!
The gofundme.com/ichi-tribute site will continue to stay open to accept donations. Others who did not yet get a chance to donate have expressed an interest in honoring Ichi's memory. Our intent is that any "surplus" donation funds be applied towards baseball equipment purchases on behalf of Monterey youth. We think Ichi would strongly support this!
Again, thanks to those who have donated so far. They are: Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Patrick Duffy, Mike Marotta, Mel Hagio, Ed Leonard, Monterey Buddhist Temple, Rick Hattori, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris and Robert Stanton.
Update: January 25, 2018
As promised, the City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department just completed a beautiful renovation of Peter J. Ferrante Park. Improvements include repainting of the park's building in a classic "Monterey Adobe / Monterey Green Wood Trim" color scheme, cosmetic exterior wall repairs, a brand new roof, new backstop boards and backstop padding, resurfacing of the infield skin with the same custom volcanic cinder + clay material used in many of the best amateur and professional baseball/softball parks, and upgrading of the picnic area behind the 30-foot-tall right field fence. Many thanks to Parks & Rec. staff members Cindy Vierra, Kim Bui-Burton, Louie Marcuzzo and their crews for getting the renovations completed in such a timely fashion!
So now the building wall in alignment with home plate, pitcher's mound, and second base is ready for the installation of Ichi's tribute plaque!
As promised, the City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department just completed a beautiful renovation of Peter J. Ferrante Park. Improvements include repainting of the park's building in a classic "Monterey Adobe / Monterey Green Wood Trim" color scheme, cosmetic exterior wall repairs, a brand new roof, new backstop boards and backstop padding, resurfacing of the infield skin with the same custom volcanic cinder + clay material used in many of the best amateur and professional baseball/softball parks, and upgrading of the picnic area behind the 30-foot-tall right field fence. Many thanks to Parks & Rec. staff members Cindy Vierra, Kim Bui-Burton, Louie Marcuzzo and their crews for getting the renovations completed in such a timely fashion!
So now the building wall in alignment with home plate, pitcher's mound, and second base is ready for the installation of Ichi's tribute plaque!
(Photos by Robert & Annamarie Stanton)
Update: November 25, 2017
We have raised $2290 from 23 people as of the date of this posting. We met our $1800 fundraising goal in fifteen days after beginning the campaign!
Plaque fabrication is completed (see below) and a dedication ceremony at Monterey Little League Park will take place in May, 2018.
Special thanks to donors Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Patrick Duffy, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris, Robert Stanton and two anonymous donors.
Our intent is that any "surplus" donation funds, after costs of plaque fabrication, fundraising and related direct expenses, will be applied towards equipment purchases on behalf of Monterey youth baseball players in need. We think Ichi would strongly support this!
We have raised $2290 from 23 people as of the date of this posting. We met our $1800 fundraising goal in fifteen days after beginning the campaign!
Plaque fabrication is completed (see below) and a dedication ceremony at Monterey Little League Park will take place in May, 2018.
Special thanks to donors Colin Kageyama, Thomas Williams, Patrick Duffy, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris, Robert Stanton and two anonymous donors.
Our intent is that any "surplus" donation funds, after costs of plaque fabrication, fundraising and related direct expenses, will be applied towards equipment purchases on behalf of Monterey youth baseball players in need. We think Ichi would strongly support this!
Update: October 19, 2017
We have reached our $1,800 fundraising goal in only fifteen days, after starting the campaign on September 23!
As of the date of this posting we have raised a total of $1,940 from 22 donors!
Thanks to everybody for the tremendous response!
Special thanks to donors Patrick Duffy, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris, Robert Stanton and one anonymous donor.
http://www.gofundme.com/ichi-tribute
Also, fabrication of the bronze plaque has just been completed and we just received it from the foundry. They did a great job and it looks awesome! Two snapshots of the completed plaque are below. The City of Monterey Parks & Recreation Department is directly taking care of the plaque installation and is paying for all installation costs. Monterey Parks & Recreation Department will also be repainting the entire building at Peter J. Ferrante Park.
We have reached our $1,800 fundraising goal in only fifteen days, after starting the campaign on September 23!
As of the date of this posting we have raised a total of $1,940 from 22 donors!
Thanks to everybody for the tremendous response!
Special thanks to donors Patrick Duffy, Mike Marotta, Ed Leonard, Rob Mehlert, Gary Hutchinson, Randall Harris, Jack Frost, Mark and Chris Smith, Phil Speciale, Chris Thomas, John Casas, Tom Russo Sr., Mikeal Culala, Josette Quinn, Peter Casas, Mike Ventimiglia, Paul B. Martin and Steve Martin, Derek Morris, Robert Stanton and one anonymous donor.
http://www.gofundme.com/ichi-tribute
Also, fabrication of the bronze plaque has just been completed and we just received it from the foundry. They did a great job and it looks awesome! Two snapshots of the completed plaque are below. The City of Monterey Parks & Recreation Department is directly taking care of the plaque installation and is paying for all installation costs. Monterey Parks & Recreation Department will also be repainting the entire building at Peter J. Ferrante Park.
At this point we would like to encourage everybody who knew Ichi to add their personal Ichi stories and rembrances to the gofundme.com/ichi-tribute site.
This can be done in a number of ways. For one, all donors received a "confirmation email" from gofundme with a "Manage Your Donations" link that enables the adding of your personal stories and comments next to your name in the donor list. Additionally, all site visitors can directly post to the "Comments" section of the gofundme.com/ichi-tribute site.
We will keep everybody updated about the plaque dedication which will take place on a Saturday in May at Peter J. Ferrante Park, just before a regularly scheduled PONY league game. There will also be an RSVP "no host" party at a local Monterey restaurant / brew pub that evening. Date and times to be announced in February when PONY finalizes their 2018 season schedule.
The gofundme.com/ichi-tribute site will continue to stay open to accept donations. Others who did not yet get a chance to donate have expressed an interest in honoring Ichi's memory. Our intent is that any "surplus" donation funds, after costs of plaque fabrication, fundraising and related expenses, will be applied towards equipment purchases on behalf of Monterey youth baseball players in need. We think Ichi would strongly support this!
This can be done in a number of ways. For one, all donors received a "confirmation email" from gofundme with a "Manage Your Donations" link that enables the adding of your personal stories and comments next to your name in the donor list. Additionally, all site visitors can directly post to the "Comments" section of the gofundme.com/ichi-tribute site.
We will keep everybody updated about the plaque dedication which will take place on a Saturday in May at Peter J. Ferrante Park, just before a regularly scheduled PONY league game. There will also be an RSVP "no host" party at a local Monterey restaurant / brew pub that evening. Date and times to be announced in February when PONY finalizes their 2018 season schedule.
The gofundme.com/ichi-tribute site will continue to stay open to accept donations. Others who did not yet get a chance to donate have expressed an interest in honoring Ichi's memory. Our intent is that any "surplus" donation funds, after costs of plaque fabrication, fundraising and related expenses, will be applied towards equipment purchases on behalf of Monterey youth baseball players in need. We think Ichi would strongly support this!
Update: Sept 26, 2017
We are pleased to announce that the fundraising site for the tribute plaque honoring beloved Little League Umpire Ichi Miyagawa is now active and accepting donations.
Here is the fundraising site address:
http://www.gofundme.com/ichi-tribute
Our fundraising campaign is for $1800, which covers all costs relating to plaque design, fabrication, gofundme.com fundraising fees and related expenses.
The plaque will be 17" x 17" with a single-beveled border, in the exact size and shape of a regulation "home plate" used in all organized baseball, from Little League to the Major Leagues.
A plaque dedication ceremony and celebration will take place on a Saturday afternoon in May at Peter J. Ferrante Park in Monterey, right before a regularly scheduled PONY league game. (Specific date and details to be announced when the PONY season schedule is finalized in February.)
We believe that the home plate theme is a perfect way to honor Ichi. The plaque will be mounted on the building wall facing the ballfield behind the backstop, in alignment with the pitcher's mound, second base, and the home plate where Ichi volunteered as an umpire for eighteen years!
We are very excited about the engraved bronze technology being used here, which is perfect for our application. This process is best when including photos and a significant amount of text. Engraved plaques can accomodate more text than cast plaques and the photos and textures tend to be sharper. The fonts used here are 'sans serif' to improve readability, plus engraved fonts visually "pop" better than text on cast plaques. The sophisticated CNC machining process used for bronze engraving allows for more subtle gradations of textures, and after CNC machining the plaque is hand rubbed to better bring out the relief design. The result is that the entire plaque has "relief" and "texture," from Ichi's "in action" photo, to the crosshatch in the baseball diamond infield, to the home plate and batter's box, to the radiating stripes of the outfield.
http://www.gofundme.com/ichi-tribute
We are pleased to announce that the fundraising site for the tribute plaque honoring beloved Little League Umpire Ichi Miyagawa is now active and accepting donations.
Here is the fundraising site address:
http://www.gofundme.com/ichi-tribute
Our fundraising campaign is for $1800, which covers all costs relating to plaque design, fabrication, gofundme.com fundraising fees and related expenses.
The plaque will be 17" x 17" with a single-beveled border, in the exact size and shape of a regulation "home plate" used in all organized baseball, from Little League to the Major Leagues.
A plaque dedication ceremony and celebration will take place on a Saturday afternoon in May at Peter J. Ferrante Park in Monterey, right before a regularly scheduled PONY league game. (Specific date and details to be announced when the PONY season schedule is finalized in February.)
We believe that the home plate theme is a perfect way to honor Ichi. The plaque will be mounted on the building wall facing the ballfield behind the backstop, in alignment with the pitcher's mound, second base, and the home plate where Ichi volunteered as an umpire for eighteen years!
We are very excited about the engraved bronze technology being used here, which is perfect for our application. This process is best when including photos and a significant amount of text. Engraved plaques can accomodate more text than cast plaques and the photos and textures tend to be sharper. The fonts used here are 'sans serif' to improve readability, plus engraved fonts visually "pop" better than text on cast plaques. The sophisticated CNC machining process used for bronze engraving allows for more subtle gradations of textures, and after CNC machining the plaque is hand rubbed to better bring out the relief design. The result is that the entire plaque has "relief" and "texture," from Ichi's "in action" photo, to the crosshatch in the baseball diamond infield, to the home plate and batter's box, to the radiating stripes of the outfield.
http://www.gofundme.com/ichi-tribute
Update: Sept. 14, 2017
The City of Monterey Monterey Parks & Recreation Department, after months of discussion, recently gave us formal written approval for all elements of the plaque design, wording, and size. The City has also generously offered to install the plaque at its own expense and to repaint the entire building prior to installation. This is the first tribute plaque ever to be approved for the ballpark since it was completed in 1955.
Costs of plaque fabrication itself must be privately funded and that is why we are putting together an online fundraising site to be announced soon. We have worked closely with the plaque designer / fabricator / foundry which was recommended by the City of Monterey. Together we've created a unique plaque design that incorporates state-of-the-art bronze engraving technology.
Thanks to the Monterey community leaders and Little League alumni who were supporters of the final plaque design which was presented to the City of Monterey. Signatories of the final submission letter included former Monterey Mayors Chuck Della Sala and Dan Albert Sr., former Monterey Councilman Frank Sollecito, former Monterey Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mike Marotta Jr., former Monterey PONY President Joe DeRuosi, former Del Rey Oaks Councilman Mike Ventimiglia, former Monterey Little League Coach Eddie Leonard, Mel Hagio, Rick and Ellie Hattori, Steve Guerra, Robert and Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, and Derek Morris.
Special thanks also to City of Monterey / Parks & Recreation staff Cindy Vierra, Kim Bui-Burton, and Louie Marcuzzo.
The City of Monterey Monterey Parks & Recreation Department, after months of discussion, recently gave us formal written approval for all elements of the plaque design, wording, and size. The City has also generously offered to install the plaque at its own expense and to repaint the entire building prior to installation. This is the first tribute plaque ever to be approved for the ballpark since it was completed in 1955.
Costs of plaque fabrication itself must be privately funded and that is why we are putting together an online fundraising site to be announced soon. We have worked closely with the plaque designer / fabricator / foundry which was recommended by the City of Monterey. Together we've created a unique plaque design that incorporates state-of-the-art bronze engraving technology.
Thanks to the Monterey community leaders and Little League alumni who were supporters of the final plaque design which was presented to the City of Monterey. Signatories of the final submission letter included former Monterey Mayors Chuck Della Sala and Dan Albert Sr., former Monterey Councilman Frank Sollecito, former Monterey Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mike Marotta Jr., former Monterey PONY President Joe DeRuosi, former Del Rey Oaks Councilman Mike Ventimiglia, former Monterey Little League Coach Eddie Leonard, Mel Hagio, Rick and Ellie Hattori, Steve Guerra, Robert and Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, and Derek Morris.
Special thanks also to City of Monterey / Parks & Recreation staff Cindy Vierra, Kim Bui-Burton, and Louie Marcuzzo.
Update: June 30, 2017
We are close to receiving final approvals from the City of Monterey. We continue to receive endorsements from many Monterey community leaders, Monterey Little League alumni who knew and loved Ichi, as well as support and a contribution pledge from Monterey PONY Baseball/Softball, Inc., Monterey's primary youth baseball organization.
At this point we are finalizing the bid for plaque fabrication and putting together a final project budget. The fundraising phase is expected to begin hopefully in August and will take place via an established dedicated online fundraising service which will be selected soon. Stay tuned!
We are close to receiving final approvals from the City of Monterey. We continue to receive endorsements from many Monterey community leaders, Monterey Little League alumni who knew and loved Ichi, as well as support and a contribution pledge from Monterey PONY Baseball/Softball, Inc., Monterey's primary youth baseball organization.
At this point we are finalizing the bid for plaque fabrication and putting together a final project budget. The fundraising phase is expected to begin hopefully in August and will take place via an established dedicated online fundraising service which will be selected soon. Stay tuned!
Date Posted: April 4, 2017
In mid-2016, Robert Stanton and I began a campaign to honor Ichi Miyagawa. Ichi had a strong positive impact on us as Little Leaguers. Many others who played under Ichi are strongly supporting this idea.
A plaque placed in a highly visible location at the Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Ballpark) is what we are working on, and we are making progress in terms of obtaining formal City of Monterey approvals. The food concession building behind home plate, with the plaque facing the ballfield, would be a fitting location. Ichi was quite famous for the $1 worth candy that he gave out as a reward to home run sluggers for eighteen years!
A lot of great men in Monterey have been involved with organizing and coaching and supervising Monterey youth baseball. But Ichi's unique direct and positive influence was special. He was a co-founder of Monterey Little League, which completed its first season in 1952. He was chief umpire at Monterey Little League Park from when the park was completed in 1955. For eighteen seasons as chief umpire, he was a positive influence and role model for the estimated 2500 to 3000 individual LIttle Leaguers whose games he umpired. In short, Ichi was a local legend, respected and beloved by everybody. And as the 1999 article by Dennis Taylor of The Herald reports, Ichi volunteered his services for free, never being paid anything for his umpiring work.
And as his 2002 Herald obituary implies, city officials apparently considered naming the park after Ichi. But sufficient momentum and political will somehow did not develop.
Well, now is the time to finally honor Ichi Miyagawa! The campaign for a tribute plaque for Ichi has begun. Somewhere between 2500 to 3000 "Monterey Little League Alumni" probably all agree that there should be some sort of a significant, long-overdue tribute given to Ichi.
We encourage all Monterey Little League alumni who support this idea to talk it up with your friends and spread the word. We are also collecting personal stories and remembrances of Monterey Little League alumni who played under Ichi between 1955 and 1972. We'll be adding their stories to our fundraising page when it "goes live" sometime around July of 2017.
If you have any personal Ichi stories to contribute, let us know! We'll add stories to this site and to the online fundraising site in the future.
Derek Morris
[email protected]
Robert Stanton
[email protected]
Below are mock-ups of the proposed plaque as it would look when installed.
Thanks to Robert & Annamarie Stanton for "real-size" plaque printout, lamination, and photography.
In mid-2016, Robert Stanton and I began a campaign to honor Ichi Miyagawa. Ichi had a strong positive impact on us as Little Leaguers. Many others who played under Ichi are strongly supporting this idea.
A plaque placed in a highly visible location at the Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Ballpark) is what we are working on, and we are making progress in terms of obtaining formal City of Monterey approvals. The food concession building behind home plate, with the plaque facing the ballfield, would be a fitting location. Ichi was quite famous for the $1 worth candy that he gave out as a reward to home run sluggers for eighteen years!
A lot of great men in Monterey have been involved with organizing and coaching and supervising Monterey youth baseball. But Ichi's unique direct and positive influence was special. He was a co-founder of Monterey Little League, which completed its first season in 1952. He was chief umpire at Monterey Little League Park from when the park was completed in 1955. For eighteen seasons as chief umpire, he was a positive influence and role model for the estimated 2500 to 3000 individual LIttle Leaguers whose games he umpired. In short, Ichi was a local legend, respected and beloved by everybody. And as the 1999 article by Dennis Taylor of The Herald reports, Ichi volunteered his services for free, never being paid anything for his umpiring work.
And as his 2002 Herald obituary implies, city officials apparently considered naming the park after Ichi. But sufficient momentum and political will somehow did not develop.
Well, now is the time to finally honor Ichi Miyagawa! The campaign for a tribute plaque for Ichi has begun. Somewhere between 2500 to 3000 "Monterey Little League Alumni" probably all agree that there should be some sort of a significant, long-overdue tribute given to Ichi.
We encourage all Monterey Little League alumni who support this idea to talk it up with your friends and spread the word. We are also collecting personal stories and remembrances of Monterey Little League alumni who played under Ichi between 1955 and 1972. We'll be adding their stories to our fundraising page when it "goes live" sometime around July of 2017.
If you have any personal Ichi stories to contribute, let us know! We'll add stories to this site and to the online fundraising site in the future.
Derek Morris
[email protected]
Robert Stanton
[email protected]
Below are mock-ups of the proposed plaque as it would look when installed.
Thanks to Robert & Annamarie Stanton for "real-size" plaque printout, lamination, and photography.
ICHI MIYAGAWA
Legendary Monterey Little League Umpire
18 Years As Chief Umpire At Monterey Little League Park
From 1955 Through 1972
Legendary Monterey Little League Umpire
18 Years As Chief Umpire At Monterey Little League Park
From 1955 Through 1972
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(Photo Courtesy of Monterey Herald)
|
By Derek Morris
Ichiro “Ichi" Miyagawa was the legendary umpire at the Monterey Little League Park for eighteen continuous seasons, from the mid 1950’s to early 1970’s. His involvement with Monterey Little League actually spanned more than twenty years; he was part of the group that founded the Monterey Little League program, which completed its first season in 1952.
Ichi immediately became the “head umpire” at Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Park) when construction was completed in 1955. He remained there as head umpire through the 1972 season. It is estimated that Ichi had direct interaction with between 2500 and 3000 individual Little League players over that eighteen-year period.
Every youth baseball player, along with their parents and coaches, knew of Ichi. He was an institution and was inextricably tied to that park. The Little League Park was his domain - it really felt like it was "Ichi’s Field" - the Little League Park and Ichi were inseparable in everyone’s minds. If you had a game scheduled at Little League Park, you looked forward to knowing that Ichi was going to be your umpire! Little Leaguers loved playing at that park because it was a great facility and especially because it was Ichi’s field. He was respected and beloved by all.
Ichiro Henry Miyagawa was born in the US but moved to Japan at age six and grew up in Japan before moving back to America with his family at age sixteen. He spoke with a thick accent but his communications were clear and authoritative. He dressed so "professionally" that he reminded everybody of an umpire right out of the major leagues, always wearing a well-tailored official black "umpire suit," a black chest protector and a black facemask. When the facemask was off between innings and before and after games, he often had on a pair of dark black sunglasses. This "look" added to his mystique.
He was a positive influence, a role model, and helped elevate everybody’s game. Ichi raised the level of our game just by looking and acting like a professional umpire. We all tried a little bit harder because of Ichi. And although Ichi was serious about his job of umpiring, he always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and a positive, encouraging vibe to him. He was an authoritative and commanding presence who ran a tight ship, while at the same time subtly encouraging and bringing out the best in the players.
He obviously had a baseball playing background, because when he brought out a fresh baseball during a game he didn't just hand it to the catcher to be lobbed to the pitcher. He threw it directly to the pitcher, and that ball was thrown hard and with precision accuracy in a smooth overhand motion - a perfect strike every time. A pitcher had to be on his toes just to catch one of Ichi's throws! This was perhaps Ichi's brief chance to subtly let everybody know that yes, he too could play the game!
And Ichi as an umpire was excellent - by far the best umpire in the league. His calls of "balls and strikes" were accurate and consistent and he had a strong sense of each batter's strike zone. I don't recall ever seeing him make a bad decision on a close play. And his decision was final. Neither players nor coaches ever successfully argued a call with Ichi!
Now Ichi did have a reputation (as we found out very recently and as was mentioned in Dennis Taylor's 1999 Herald article) for sometimes "leveling the playing field" and "expanding the strike zone" on teams that were way ahead in a particular game. Ichi wanted every player to enjoy the game. His intent was honorable; he wanted to make all the kids feel good about themselves and to avoid any team feeling that they had really lost badly and embarrassingly. I never saw this happen myself, but if Ichi indeed occasionally did “level the playing field” it was subtle and selective and rare. And some coaches from that era who we recently spoke with do make mention of this.
Another example of Ichi's "protective attitude" towards kids: if a “wild pitch” was headed towards a batter, Ichi would shout out "Waatch Eet!" in a strong Japanese accent to get the batter to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit. Ichi would even occasionally reach out to block a pitch that was about to hit a batter if the kid could not get out of the way in time. And every once in a while Ichi would pause briefly between pitches to correct a younger inexperienced player’s stance if Ichi felt he needed instruction. It always occurred to me back then that giving batting instructions to an inexperienced, unconfident kid in "real time" while he is at the plate in the middle of a game, while everybody was watching, might not be the most effective way to teach batting skills! But everybody knew Ichi was just trying to help. And I'm sure sometimes he did!
One last important point that was reported in the Dennis Taylor Herald feature article about Ichi from 1999: Ichi Miyagawa never accepted any payment from Monterey Little League for his umpiring. For eighteen years he donated his time!
To us kids, Ichi was a bit of a mystery man. Nobody seemed to know what he did for his day job; not that we gave it much thought since we were just kids. I do recall rumors that he taught Japanese language somewhere like the Defense Language Institute or Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies or Fort Ord, but none of us kids knew. As we found out recently, Ichi actually worked for the Pebble Beach Company / Del Monte Properties as a gardener/landscaper for 35 years. He held a black belt in karate and taught martial arts for many years to the Monterey Police Department. Another interesting element that added to Ichi's mystique: he rode a large and very well-equipped black Honda motorcycle that was as dark as his umpire's uniform and he wore a black leather jacket. He parked the motorcycle not on the street, but in an out-of-the-way section of the ballpark grounds, away from cars, people, and from errant foul balls. I can still remember seeing him "riding off into the sunset" after a game on that black motorcycle, dressed in that black leather jacket and wearing a black motorcycle helmet.
Of course the one thing that Ichi was legendary for was awarding $1 worth of candy to every slugger who hit a home run over the fence at the Monterey Little League Park! Everybody seemed to know about Ichi's $1 candy home run reward. And the reward was immediate! As soon as the home run hitter crossed home plate after taking the "home run trot" around the bases, Ichi would congratulate him and then gently grab his shoulder and point him towards the "snack shack" behind the home plate bleachers. Some home run hitters would go to the dugout with the intent of picking up the candy later, but most immediately headed straight towards the snack shack! And the nice lady operating the concession always seemed to know who had just hit the home run; Ichi "ran an account" there. And the concession stand lady always gave the home run hitter priority; other customers would have to wait while he hurriedly chose his candy so he could get back to the dugout while his team remained at bat.
(According to "inflation" calculation websites, in 2017 dollars, that $1 in 1964 would be equivalent to $7.79 today. A dollar's worth of candy perhaps did not buy as much in 1964 as $7.79 does today because sugar and high fructose corn syrup products overall do seem relatively "cheaper" now as is all food. But $1 worth of candy back then was still a lot of candy!)
Looking back, Ichi's one dollar's worth of candy for home runs was probably the most direct, tangible and immediate type of validation that we ever received for outstanding hitting performance in a game. Everybody knew about Ichi's $1 home run candy. It was an "edible trophy" and a reward that could be both "conspicuously consumed" and shared with teammates on the spot. It was an earned reward, though as fleeting and ephemeral as a dollar's worth of candy.
Ah, those were the days ... when sugar was innocent and fun and non-toxic and not a known cause of Type-2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome!
Ichi Henry Miyagawa was born in 1913 and passed away in 2002 at the age of 89. His 2002 obituary and a 1999 feature article, both written by Dennis Taylor of the Herald, are shown below. So looking back at that time period, in 1964, which for many of us was our final year of Little League, Ichi was 51 years old. This was a bit of a surprise because most of us kids then would have guessed that he was quite a bit younger, though we didn't really then have much of a concept of adult "ages." Ichi almost seemed like an "older brother." But at the time, Ichi was actually older than most of our parents!
Thank you Ichi! You helped make Little League an even more fun experience!
~ Derek Morris
Ichiro “Ichi" Miyagawa was the legendary umpire at the Monterey Little League Park for eighteen continuous seasons, from the mid 1950’s to early 1970’s. His involvement with Monterey Little League actually spanned more than twenty years; he was part of the group that founded the Monterey Little League program, which completed its first season in 1952.
Ichi immediately became the “head umpire” at Monterey Little League Park (now Peter J. Ferrante Park) when construction was completed in 1955. He remained there as head umpire through the 1972 season. It is estimated that Ichi had direct interaction with between 2500 and 3000 individual Little League players over that eighteen-year period.
Every youth baseball player, along with their parents and coaches, knew of Ichi. He was an institution and was inextricably tied to that park. The Little League Park was his domain - it really felt like it was "Ichi’s Field" - the Little League Park and Ichi were inseparable in everyone’s minds. If you had a game scheduled at Little League Park, you looked forward to knowing that Ichi was going to be your umpire! Little Leaguers loved playing at that park because it was a great facility and especially because it was Ichi’s field. He was respected and beloved by all.
Ichiro Henry Miyagawa was born in the US but moved to Japan at age six and grew up in Japan before moving back to America with his family at age sixteen. He spoke with a thick accent but his communications were clear and authoritative. He dressed so "professionally" that he reminded everybody of an umpire right out of the major leagues, always wearing a well-tailored official black "umpire suit," a black chest protector and a black facemask. When the facemask was off between innings and before and after games, he often had on a pair of dark black sunglasses. This "look" added to his mystique.
He was a positive influence, a role model, and helped elevate everybody’s game. Ichi raised the level of our game just by looking and acting like a professional umpire. We all tried a little bit harder because of Ichi. And although Ichi was serious about his job of umpiring, he always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and a positive, encouraging vibe to him. He was an authoritative and commanding presence who ran a tight ship, while at the same time subtly encouraging and bringing out the best in the players.
He obviously had a baseball playing background, because when he brought out a fresh baseball during a game he didn't just hand it to the catcher to be lobbed to the pitcher. He threw it directly to the pitcher, and that ball was thrown hard and with precision accuracy in a smooth overhand motion - a perfect strike every time. A pitcher had to be on his toes just to catch one of Ichi's throws! This was perhaps Ichi's brief chance to subtly let everybody know that yes, he too could play the game!
And Ichi as an umpire was excellent - by far the best umpire in the league. His calls of "balls and strikes" were accurate and consistent and he had a strong sense of each batter's strike zone. I don't recall ever seeing him make a bad decision on a close play. And his decision was final. Neither players nor coaches ever successfully argued a call with Ichi!
Now Ichi did have a reputation (as we found out very recently and as was mentioned in Dennis Taylor's 1999 Herald article) for sometimes "leveling the playing field" and "expanding the strike zone" on teams that were way ahead in a particular game. Ichi wanted every player to enjoy the game. His intent was honorable; he wanted to make all the kids feel good about themselves and to avoid any team feeling that they had really lost badly and embarrassingly. I never saw this happen myself, but if Ichi indeed occasionally did “level the playing field” it was subtle and selective and rare. And some coaches from that era who we recently spoke with do make mention of this.
Another example of Ichi's "protective attitude" towards kids: if a “wild pitch” was headed towards a batter, Ichi would shout out "Waatch Eet!" in a strong Japanese accent to get the batter to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit. Ichi would even occasionally reach out to block a pitch that was about to hit a batter if the kid could not get out of the way in time. And every once in a while Ichi would pause briefly between pitches to correct a younger inexperienced player’s stance if Ichi felt he needed instruction. It always occurred to me back then that giving batting instructions to an inexperienced, unconfident kid in "real time" while he is at the plate in the middle of a game, while everybody was watching, might not be the most effective way to teach batting skills! But everybody knew Ichi was just trying to help. And I'm sure sometimes he did!
One last important point that was reported in the Dennis Taylor Herald feature article about Ichi from 1999: Ichi Miyagawa never accepted any payment from Monterey Little League for his umpiring. For eighteen years he donated his time!
To us kids, Ichi was a bit of a mystery man. Nobody seemed to know what he did for his day job; not that we gave it much thought since we were just kids. I do recall rumors that he taught Japanese language somewhere like the Defense Language Institute or Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies or Fort Ord, but none of us kids knew. As we found out recently, Ichi actually worked for the Pebble Beach Company / Del Monte Properties as a gardener/landscaper for 35 years. He held a black belt in karate and taught martial arts for many years to the Monterey Police Department. Another interesting element that added to Ichi's mystique: he rode a large and very well-equipped black Honda motorcycle that was as dark as his umpire's uniform and he wore a black leather jacket. He parked the motorcycle not on the street, but in an out-of-the-way section of the ballpark grounds, away from cars, people, and from errant foul balls. I can still remember seeing him "riding off into the sunset" after a game on that black motorcycle, dressed in that black leather jacket and wearing a black motorcycle helmet.
Of course the one thing that Ichi was legendary for was awarding $1 worth of candy to every slugger who hit a home run over the fence at the Monterey Little League Park! Everybody seemed to know about Ichi's $1 candy home run reward. And the reward was immediate! As soon as the home run hitter crossed home plate after taking the "home run trot" around the bases, Ichi would congratulate him and then gently grab his shoulder and point him towards the "snack shack" behind the home plate bleachers. Some home run hitters would go to the dugout with the intent of picking up the candy later, but most immediately headed straight towards the snack shack! And the nice lady operating the concession always seemed to know who had just hit the home run; Ichi "ran an account" there. And the concession stand lady always gave the home run hitter priority; other customers would have to wait while he hurriedly chose his candy so he could get back to the dugout while his team remained at bat.
(According to "inflation" calculation websites, in 2017 dollars, that $1 in 1964 would be equivalent to $7.79 today. A dollar's worth of candy perhaps did not buy as much in 1964 as $7.79 does today because sugar and high fructose corn syrup products overall do seem relatively "cheaper" now as is all food. But $1 worth of candy back then was still a lot of candy!)
Looking back, Ichi's one dollar's worth of candy for home runs was probably the most direct, tangible and immediate type of validation that we ever received for outstanding hitting performance in a game. Everybody knew about Ichi's $1 home run candy. It was an "edible trophy" and a reward that could be both "conspicuously consumed" and shared with teammates on the spot. It was an earned reward, though as fleeting and ephemeral as a dollar's worth of candy.
Ah, those were the days ... when sugar was innocent and fun and non-toxic and not a known cause of Type-2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome!
Ichi Henry Miyagawa was born in 1913 and passed away in 2002 at the age of 89. His 2002 obituary and a 1999 feature article, both written by Dennis Taylor of the Herald, are shown below. So looking back at that time period, in 1964, which for many of us was our final year of Little League, Ichi was 51 years old. This was a bit of a surprise because most of us kids then would have guessed that he was quite a bit younger, though we didn't really then have much of a concept of adult "ages." Ichi almost seemed like an "older brother." But at the time, Ichi was actually older than most of our parents!
Thank you Ichi! You helped make Little League an even more fun experience!
~ Derek Morris
Feature Article - Ichi Miyagawa
Written by Dennis Taylor
Monterey Herald
August 1, 1999
Written by Dennis Taylor
Monterey Herald
August 1, 1999
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His Way
For 17 years, Ichiro “Ichi” Miyagawa wore black as a local umpire. But because of his unique spirit, Ichi was revered by kids like a hero in a white hat
Generous official will throw out first ball at Bronco Series
Written by Dennis Taylor, Monterey Herald, August 1, 1999
"Hey, ichi can you still reach home plate from the pitcher's mound?"
Seemed like a legitimate question to ask the 87-year-old man scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Friday, the second night of the Bronco League World Series at Monterey's Jacks Park.
But Ichiro Miyagawa’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Pitcher's mound!" he exclaimed in thickly accented English. “I throw from ... DEEP SHORTSTOP! You watch!"
The man who asked the question, Peter Casas, probably should've known better. One of his vivid childhood memories is the way Ichi, the home-plate umpire, would zip the ball back to the mound after a foul ball 30-some years ago.
Sssss — WHAP!
"He'd throw BB’s at you --- absolute bullets," Casas recollects. "It was always kind of scary for an 11- or 12-year-old pitcher. Everybody you talk to seems to have five or six memories of Ichi’s days as an umpire in Monterey -- who he was, how he handled the games — and that's definitely one of mine."
Those who played, coached or watched youth baseball in Monterey from 1955-72 remember Ichi almost before they remember anything else. They recall his quirks, his generosity, his command of virtually every situation. When Ichi was the plate ump, the rules and procedures were his. And every one was for the good of the game, for the good of the kids.
"I used to get mad at him," says veteran, Monterey youth league coach Ben Omoto. "If my team was leading by a lot of runs, he'd change the strike zone to the point that my guys would be striking out a lot and their guys wouldn’t. He'd try to even out the score. And I'd say, You can't do that to the kids!’"
Ichi did it anyway. He wanted both learns to enjoy the game. He wanted every player to have success.
“Two teams ... one black manager (Charles Drummond), one man - an Italian ... hot temper! What his name? Hmm … Bruno! "Stoney Bruno!" Ichi recollects. "Always fighting. One batter stand up like this. Ball here, bat swing here. No good."
Ichi remembers how he called time out and adjusted the player's stance. Drummond, he says, became annoyed.
"He said, 'You can't do that!' And I say, 'Says who? This isn't college or high school, this is Little League team. Over here, I am the boss. Now sit down and SHADDAP!'"
Bruno, now 64, says Ichi was the right man for the job at that time. Whatever he did was for the love of the game, the love of the kids. He went by the book, unless the book wasn't good for youth league ball.
"I don't know if he knew all the rules, but he knew the main rules. He'd call for the book when things got complicated”; Bruno recalls. "And he had a bigger strike zone than most umpires, which was right for Little League."
Ichi’s authoritarian approach normally ended any dispute. Coaches and fans rarely stayed on Ichi’s case for long, partly because he was also a commanding physical presence. And in an era when men occasionally "settled" their differences later, in the parking lot, Ichi, a black belt in both judo and karate, was more than willing.
"One game, behind Navy School, trouble. One kid, third strike — called out,"' Ichi remembers. "Outside the fence, man hollered; and I said, ‘Shaddap! Who the umpire, you or me? Keep quiet!' But he won't keep quiet. So I say, 'After game, you wait. I want to talk to you.’“
The man waited, became belligerent and push came to shove — which was OK with Ichi.
— “I love fight — more than eat," he says. "I flip him. He stand up, I flip him again, say ‘Stay down.’ He stand up again — whap! whap! — two black eye. I don't see him five, six weeks."
Casas was a 7-year-old batboy the day Ichi gave the heave-ho to his father for arguing a call.
“Ichi ran him right out of the park,” Casas says. "He kicked him out of the game and my dad went and sat in the bleachers and started yelling from there. So Ichi kicked him out of the bleachers. Dad went outside the fence on the first-base side, and was yelling from there. Then Ichi stopped the game and wouldn't start it again until Dad left the whole area. My mother was so embarrassed.”
The kids marveled. They imitated his stance — way down low, with one leg stretched far behind him so he could call every pitch from a boy's perspective. And they impersonated his calls.
"On strikes, he'd yell, Steeeeeee! Casas says. "If a pitch was inside, he'd holler, Watchit! And after a third strike, it would be, Battasout!
Mostly, they remember how many ways he gave.
Casas recalls many a day when he waited on Prescott Street for a bus to take him to the ballpark. Suddenly, Ichi, dressed entirely in black, would pull over on his Honda 250 motorcycle and offer a ride. "And I’d hop on the back, holding my bat and glove, and off we'd go."
Ichi nods. "I give ride lots of kids," he says.
Home run hitters received 50 cents from Ichi as they crossed home plate; but the umpire eventually changed that policy to help the man who ran the snack shop, an ex-Brooklyn Dodger who, Ichi says, had fallen on hard times.
"When a kid hit a home run, he'd circle the bases and Ichi would say, `You wait right here,'” Casas remembers. "Then he'd go out the gate behind the backstop; cap with candy; come back onto the field and put all the candy into the kid's cap."
Donnie Enea, now 56, says he hit the first-ever regular season homer in 1955 at what now is called Peter J. Ferrante Park, and the umpire gave him more than candy. Ichi took him out for cheeseburgers. (By the way, Ichi never accepted a penny over the years for his work as an ump.)
But that was nothing.
"I was bedridden with polio for about six months when I was 10," Enea says. "Ichi, who was my neighbor, brought (local barber) Mas Hagio to my house to give me a haircut." The umpire did more than that. Enea was resisting treatment for his polio, part of which involved wrapping him in hot wet blankets. Ichi stopped by to help.
"I say, 'Oh, you don't wanna get well? Don't wanna play baseball?' He say, 'I don't like the blanket' I say, 'Your father and uncle ... tough Italians. You not tough — you little chicken ---! You wanna play next year, put on blanket.’ So I put the blanket on. Ten minutes later, another one. Couple of days later, he get up, get outta bed."
Perhaps the greatest mystery of all is how Ichi has maintained his own superb health beyond his mid-80’s. His stomach muscles are washboard-rigid: His handshake is a bone-cruncher. His energy is boundless.
Ichi, who lives in Del Rey Oaks with his wife of 22 years, Setsuko, credits judo and karate (he taught into his 60’s) for much of his conditioning, but he has other secrets.
"Walk," he says: "Bowl, three times a week, 16-pound ball. Fifteen, no good."
And, of course, there's his diet.
"Eat good … anything I like. Doctor ask, `Ichi, you still eating fat?' I say, 'I love fat!’ Fruits and vegetables, little bit -- tomato, lettuce, big scoop o' mayonnaise. V.0. on the rocks, but never get drunk. Fifty years of drinking, never drunk."
Ichi also plays catch once in a while with the neighbor kids just to keep his arm in shape for occasions like Friday night's ceremonial first pitch. Which, if Ichi gets his way, will be thrown from deep shortstop.
~ Written by Dennis Taylor, Monterey Herald, August 1, 1999
For 17 years, Ichiro “Ichi” Miyagawa wore black as a local umpire. But because of his unique spirit, Ichi was revered by kids like a hero in a white hat
Generous official will throw out first ball at Bronco Series
Written by Dennis Taylor, Monterey Herald, August 1, 1999
"Hey, ichi can you still reach home plate from the pitcher's mound?"
Seemed like a legitimate question to ask the 87-year-old man scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Friday, the second night of the Bronco League World Series at Monterey's Jacks Park.
But Ichiro Miyagawa’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Pitcher's mound!" he exclaimed in thickly accented English. “I throw from ... DEEP SHORTSTOP! You watch!"
The man who asked the question, Peter Casas, probably should've known better. One of his vivid childhood memories is the way Ichi, the home-plate umpire, would zip the ball back to the mound after a foul ball 30-some years ago.
Sssss — WHAP!
"He'd throw BB’s at you --- absolute bullets," Casas recollects. "It was always kind of scary for an 11- or 12-year-old pitcher. Everybody you talk to seems to have five or six memories of Ichi’s days as an umpire in Monterey -- who he was, how he handled the games — and that's definitely one of mine."
Those who played, coached or watched youth baseball in Monterey from 1955-72 remember Ichi almost before they remember anything else. They recall his quirks, his generosity, his command of virtually every situation. When Ichi was the plate ump, the rules and procedures were his. And every one was for the good of the game, for the good of the kids.
"I used to get mad at him," says veteran, Monterey youth league coach Ben Omoto. "If my team was leading by a lot of runs, he'd change the strike zone to the point that my guys would be striking out a lot and their guys wouldn’t. He'd try to even out the score. And I'd say, You can't do that to the kids!’"
Ichi did it anyway. He wanted both learns to enjoy the game. He wanted every player to have success.
“Two teams ... one black manager (Charles Drummond), one man - an Italian ... hot temper! What his name? Hmm … Bruno! "Stoney Bruno!" Ichi recollects. "Always fighting. One batter stand up like this. Ball here, bat swing here. No good."
Ichi remembers how he called time out and adjusted the player's stance. Drummond, he says, became annoyed.
"He said, 'You can't do that!' And I say, 'Says who? This isn't college or high school, this is Little League team. Over here, I am the boss. Now sit down and SHADDAP!'"
Bruno, now 64, says Ichi was the right man for the job at that time. Whatever he did was for the love of the game, the love of the kids. He went by the book, unless the book wasn't good for youth league ball.
"I don't know if he knew all the rules, but he knew the main rules. He'd call for the book when things got complicated”; Bruno recalls. "And he had a bigger strike zone than most umpires, which was right for Little League."
Ichi’s authoritarian approach normally ended any dispute. Coaches and fans rarely stayed on Ichi’s case for long, partly because he was also a commanding physical presence. And in an era when men occasionally "settled" their differences later, in the parking lot, Ichi, a black belt in both judo and karate, was more than willing.
"One game, behind Navy School, trouble. One kid, third strike — called out,"' Ichi remembers. "Outside the fence, man hollered; and I said, ‘Shaddap! Who the umpire, you or me? Keep quiet!' But he won't keep quiet. So I say, 'After game, you wait. I want to talk to you.’“
The man waited, became belligerent and push came to shove — which was OK with Ichi.
— “I love fight — more than eat," he says. "I flip him. He stand up, I flip him again, say ‘Stay down.’ He stand up again — whap! whap! — two black eye. I don't see him five, six weeks."
Casas was a 7-year-old batboy the day Ichi gave the heave-ho to his father for arguing a call.
“Ichi ran him right out of the park,” Casas says. "He kicked him out of the game and my dad went and sat in the bleachers and started yelling from there. So Ichi kicked him out of the bleachers. Dad went outside the fence on the first-base side, and was yelling from there. Then Ichi stopped the game and wouldn't start it again until Dad left the whole area. My mother was so embarrassed.”
The kids marveled. They imitated his stance — way down low, with one leg stretched far behind him so he could call every pitch from a boy's perspective. And they impersonated his calls.
"On strikes, he'd yell, Steeeeeee! Casas says. "If a pitch was inside, he'd holler, Watchit! And after a third strike, it would be, Battasout!
Mostly, they remember how many ways he gave.
Casas recalls many a day when he waited on Prescott Street for a bus to take him to the ballpark. Suddenly, Ichi, dressed entirely in black, would pull over on his Honda 250 motorcycle and offer a ride. "And I’d hop on the back, holding my bat and glove, and off we'd go."
Ichi nods. "I give ride lots of kids," he says.
Home run hitters received 50 cents from Ichi as they crossed home plate; but the umpire eventually changed that policy to help the man who ran the snack shop, an ex-Brooklyn Dodger who, Ichi says, had fallen on hard times.
"When a kid hit a home run, he'd circle the bases and Ichi would say, `You wait right here,'” Casas remembers. "Then he'd go out the gate behind the backstop; cap with candy; come back onto the field and put all the candy into the kid's cap."
Donnie Enea, now 56, says he hit the first-ever regular season homer in 1955 at what now is called Peter J. Ferrante Park, and the umpire gave him more than candy. Ichi took him out for cheeseburgers. (By the way, Ichi never accepted a penny over the years for his work as an ump.)
But that was nothing.
"I was bedridden with polio for about six months when I was 10," Enea says. "Ichi, who was my neighbor, brought (local barber) Mas Hagio to my house to give me a haircut." The umpire did more than that. Enea was resisting treatment for his polio, part of which involved wrapping him in hot wet blankets. Ichi stopped by to help.
"I say, 'Oh, you don't wanna get well? Don't wanna play baseball?' He say, 'I don't like the blanket' I say, 'Your father and uncle ... tough Italians. You not tough — you little chicken ---! You wanna play next year, put on blanket.’ So I put the blanket on. Ten minutes later, another one. Couple of days later, he get up, get outta bed."
Perhaps the greatest mystery of all is how Ichi has maintained his own superb health beyond his mid-80’s. His stomach muscles are washboard-rigid: His handshake is a bone-cruncher. His energy is boundless.
Ichi, who lives in Del Rey Oaks with his wife of 22 years, Setsuko, credits judo and karate (he taught into his 60’s) for much of his conditioning, but he has other secrets.
"Walk," he says: "Bowl, three times a week, 16-pound ball. Fifteen, no good."
And, of course, there's his diet.
"Eat good … anything I like. Doctor ask, `Ichi, you still eating fat?' I say, 'I love fat!’ Fruits and vegetables, little bit -- tomato, lettuce, big scoop o' mayonnaise. V.0. on the rocks, but never get drunk. Fifty years of drinking, never drunk."
Ichi also plays catch once in a while with the neighbor kids just to keep his arm in shape for occasions like Friday night's ceremonial first pitch. Which, if Ichi gets his way, will be thrown from deep shortstop.
~ Written by Dennis Taylor, Monterey Herald, August 1, 1999
Ichi Miyagawa Obituary
Written by Dennis Taylor
Monterey Herald
November 20, 2002
Written by Dennis Taylor
Monterey Herald
November 20, 2002
Veteran Umpire "Ichi"
Miyagawa Dies At 89
by Dennis Taylor - Monterey Herald
(Monterey Herald, Wednesday, November 20, 2002)
When he rolled up at the ballpark on his Honda 250 motorcycle and pulled on his chest protector and mask, no one doubted who was in charge. Ichiro Henry Miyagawa - known to friends and acquaintances as "Ichi" - had a personality and presence. He was an umpire. In Monterey, he was the umpire.
Miyagawa was 89 when he died Friday at his Del Rey Oaks home. Three decades after he retired from umpiring, the Monterey youth baseball community has vivid memories of the man who affected so many lives.
"I used to get mad at him," veteran Monterey youth league coach Ben Omoto told The Herald in 1999. "If my team was leading by a lot of runs, he'd change the strike zone to the point that my guys would be striking out a lot, and their guys wouldn't. He'd try to even the score. And I'd say, "You can't do that to the kids!"
Miyagawa had a standard response.
"Says who." he would retort. This isn't college or high school - this is Little League.... I am the boss. Now site down and SHADDAP!"
"Ichi" had his own rulebook for baseball and for life. He wanted every team to enjoy the game. He wanted every player to have success. He wasn't shy about calling timeout to adjust the batting stance of a player who needed coaching. If a pitch sailed toward a batter, he would break from his umpire character and shout "Watchit!" He cared deeply about people, especially children.
"I was bedridden with polio for about six months when I was 10, remembered Donnie Enea. Ichi, who was my neighbor, brought (local barber) Mas Hagio to my house to give me a haircut."
When Enea balked at treatment for his polio, which included wrapping him in hot, wet blankets, Ichi took charge.
"I say, 'Oh, you don't wannt get well - don't wanna play baseball?" Miyagawa remembered in a 1999 interview. "You wanna play next year, put on a blanket."
Miyagawa was born Feb 14, 1913 in Portland, Ore. At age 6, he moved with his family to Japan, where he lived 10 years before moving back to the United States. He lived in Monterey County for 54 years.
He worked as a landscaper for the Pebble Beach Co. for 35 years. He was an avid bowler, and belonged to the Nisea, Nakayoshi and Mixed Senior bowling leagues. He was one of the founders of the Monterey Peninsula Little League, and was active in Little League baseball from 1955-72. The youth league ballpark in the Casa Verde area of Monterey is named Ichi's Ballpark in his honor.
Miyagawa held a black belt in martial arts and was a self defense instructor for the Monterey Police Department for many years. He also was an active member of the Monterey Peninsula Busshist Temple and was remembered fro the elaborate costumes he wore to the Obon Festival on the Monterey Peninsula and in Salinas and Watsonville.
Miyagawa is survived by his wife of 34 years, Setsuko Miyagawa of Del Rey Oaks, two daughters Susan Sako of Marina and Carol Lancaster of Seaside; three sons, Robert Mendez of Marina, Charles Mendez of Del Rey Oaks, and Del Brown of Seaside, a brother, Kiyoshi Miyagawa of Los Angeles, and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be helf at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Monterey Peninsla Buddhist Temple. Paul Mortuary will handle the arrangements.
by Dennis Taylor - Monterey Herald
(Monterey Herald, Wednesday, November 20, 2002)
Miyagawa Dies At 89
by Dennis Taylor - Monterey Herald
(Monterey Herald, Wednesday, November 20, 2002)
When he rolled up at the ballpark on his Honda 250 motorcycle and pulled on his chest protector and mask, no one doubted who was in charge. Ichiro Henry Miyagawa - known to friends and acquaintances as "Ichi" - had a personality and presence. He was an umpire. In Monterey, he was the umpire.
Miyagawa was 89 when he died Friday at his Del Rey Oaks home. Three decades after he retired from umpiring, the Monterey youth baseball community has vivid memories of the man who affected so many lives.
"I used to get mad at him," veteran Monterey youth league coach Ben Omoto told The Herald in 1999. "If my team was leading by a lot of runs, he'd change the strike zone to the point that my guys would be striking out a lot, and their guys wouldn't. He'd try to even the score. And I'd say, "You can't do that to the kids!"
Miyagawa had a standard response.
"Says who." he would retort. This isn't college or high school - this is Little League.... I am the boss. Now site down and SHADDAP!"
"Ichi" had his own rulebook for baseball and for life. He wanted every team to enjoy the game. He wanted every player to have success. He wasn't shy about calling timeout to adjust the batting stance of a player who needed coaching. If a pitch sailed toward a batter, he would break from his umpire character and shout "Watchit!" He cared deeply about people, especially children.
"I was bedridden with polio for about six months when I was 10, remembered Donnie Enea. Ichi, who was my neighbor, brought (local barber) Mas Hagio to my house to give me a haircut."
When Enea balked at treatment for his polio, which included wrapping him in hot, wet blankets, Ichi took charge.
"I say, 'Oh, you don't wannt get well - don't wanna play baseball?" Miyagawa remembered in a 1999 interview. "You wanna play next year, put on a blanket."
Miyagawa was born Feb 14, 1913 in Portland, Ore. At age 6, he moved with his family to Japan, where he lived 10 years before moving back to the United States. He lived in Monterey County for 54 years.
He worked as a landscaper for the Pebble Beach Co. for 35 years. He was an avid bowler, and belonged to the Nisea, Nakayoshi and Mixed Senior bowling leagues. He was one of the founders of the Monterey Peninsula Little League, and was active in Little League baseball from 1955-72. The youth league ballpark in the Casa Verde area of Monterey is named Ichi's Ballpark in his honor.
Miyagawa held a black belt in martial arts and was a self defense instructor for the Monterey Police Department for many years. He also was an active member of the Monterey Peninsula Busshist Temple and was remembered fro the elaborate costumes he wore to the Obon Festival on the Monterey Peninsula and in Salinas and Watsonville.
Miyagawa is survived by his wife of 34 years, Setsuko Miyagawa of Del Rey Oaks, two daughters Susan Sako of Marina and Carol Lancaster of Seaside; three sons, Robert Mendez of Marina, Charles Mendez of Del Rey Oaks, and Del Brown of Seaside, a brother, Kiyoshi Miyagawa of Los Angeles, and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be helf at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Monterey Peninsla Buddhist Temple. Paul Mortuary will handle the arrangements.
by Dennis Taylor - Monterey Herald
(Monterey Herald, Wednesday, November 20, 2002)
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to those who have contributed to this site so far: Robert Stanton, Jeanne Stanton, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Don Davison, Mark Smith, Joan Chapin, Kyle Wyatt, Martin Bradley, Marla Martin Anderson, Debbie Langdon Bradford, Lilly Hespen Menezes, Alan Herren, Mike Welch, Mary Jane Porter Perna, Susan Turner Pohlmann, Mark Bibler, Joe Cutrufelli, Jeff Sumida, Alice Valdez Gerschler, Jon Wren, Duke Quinones, Susie Rochon Henderson, Patrick Duffy, Gerald Armstrong, Carl Becker, Dennis Taylor, Mike Ventimiglia, Jack Frost, Steve Martin, Tom Russo Sr., Chuck Della Sala, Mel Hagio, Rick Hattori, Randall Harris, Eddie Van Houtte, Pat Hathaway, Victor Henry and Dennis Copeland.
Extra special thanks to Christopher DuBois for his phenomenal Ichi Miyagawa dedication event photography!
Special thanks to those who have contributed to this site so far: Robert Stanton, Jeanne Stanton, Annamarie Della Sala Stanton, Don Davison, Mark Smith, Joan Chapin, Kyle Wyatt, Martin Bradley, Marla Martin Anderson, Debbie Langdon Bradford, Lilly Hespen Menezes, Alan Herren, Mike Welch, Mary Jane Porter Perna, Susan Turner Pohlmann, Mark Bibler, Joe Cutrufelli, Jeff Sumida, Alice Valdez Gerschler, Jon Wren, Duke Quinones, Susie Rochon Henderson, Patrick Duffy, Gerald Armstrong, Carl Becker, Dennis Taylor, Mike Ventimiglia, Jack Frost, Steve Martin, Tom Russo Sr., Chuck Della Sala, Mel Hagio, Rick Hattori, Randall Harris, Eddie Van Houtte, Pat Hathaway, Victor Henry and Dennis Copeland.
Extra special thanks to Christopher DuBois for his phenomenal Ichi Miyagawa dedication event photography!
