• Barrett Game helps Mutz, Viggiano bond »
NETHER PROVIDENCE » Words can’t describe the bond between Strath Haven seniors Luke Mutz and Anthony Viggiano.
Baseball can. It brought them together, nurtured an enduring relationship and on Sunday, will become the stage for their cameo performance together in the Joseph J. Barrett Memorial All-Star game at Neumann University.
Profoundly deaf since infancy, Viggiano has blossomed into one of the top baseball players in Delaware County. His dream of playing college baseball will begin next fall at Bloomsburg University.
Mutz, the Swarthmore College commit, not only turned double plays with Viggiano but supported his infield brother when opponents would ridicule the hearing-related mistakes.
“I’ve seen it from kids, here and there,” Mutz said. “Most of that stuff was when we were younger. I think Anthony has let his game speak for itself when he’s gotten older. People realize they shouldn’t pick on somebody that is that good. He’s really earned his respect.”
Viggiano is coming off the best offensive season in Brian Fili’s 16 years coaching the Panthers. He batted .514 with 36 hits, including 11 doubles, three triples and three home runs, according to team accounting.
Viggiano scored 23 runs, drove in 31, and when he didn’t play shortstop, went 4-1 as a pitcher with two saves, 42 strikeouts, 14 walks and a 1.90 ERA. Fielding can be an adventure.
“There’s definitely challenges,” said Viggiano, who plays with a cochlear implant. “If it’s like a noisy game, popups, the communication with like our outfielders and infielders, they know that they have to be loud and very vocal with me.
“Which is very helpful.” Mutz batted .385 with three doubles, four triples, one homer and 11 RBIs. He tallied a teamleading 32 runs for the Panthers. The run he didn’t score on a controversial play at the plate was among the plays Rustin used to eliminate the Panthers in the win-and-you’re-in the states phase of the District 1 Class 5A playoffs.
After that outcome, Viggiano fought through the finailty to defend Mutz and his teammates, and suggest that the Panthers just didn’t take advantage of their opportunities. Oh, and Viggiano saw the tag — Mutz was safe.
“Baseball is a game of failure,” Mutz said with a grin. “You’ve got to be able to pick each other up. You really have to understand each other and I think Anthony and I did a great job of that. On the field obviously, we communicated very well, we had that chemistry. And the same thing off the field. Just playing together so many years, it’s been great. Anthony and I have developed a relationship that is something very special. I don’t think I could say the same about any other baseball player that I’ve played with.”
The Barrett All-Star game ceremony begins Sunday at 11:30 p.m., having been pushed back a day due to anticipated thunderstorms.
The game starts at 11:45 a.m., and it matches the Central League stars against the Del Val, Catholic and private school stars.
Cash-only tickets are $6, and the proceeds go to the Barrett scholarship fund.
“We’re not really playing on any summer teams together right now so it’s definitely possible that this could be one of the last times we take the field together,” Mutz said. “And every time we take the field together, it’s something special. So, I hope we get a chance to play to play middle infield together in this game, maybe turn a couple double plays, just have fun going out there and going back to what we’ve been doing the past six or seven years.”
Though it may be the last chapter their high school careers together, it’s the beginning of another episode in a friendship beyond words. You’d better believe Viggiano and Mutz will be checking each other’s stats, keeping an eye on their college team results and texting encouragement to each other. That could ease the separation anxiety. Just not like playing baseball would.
“We’ve been playing baseball together from sixth grade until now,” Viggiano said. “It’s been an unbelievable experience. He’s always been by my side. We always pick each other up. Finishing baseball with him is very emotional and personal for me. I never had a teammate like Luke.”