Student of game
He learns by watching Yankees
The roar of the crowd. The thrill of a late-inning rally. Ice cream in a mini-batting helmet.
These are just a few of the things that make going to a Yankees game an unforgettable experience for 8-yearold Hunter Yarmy, one of nine winners of the Daily News' 2018 Field of Dreams essay contest.
Each year, young readers from the tristate area and beyond submit essays on what Yankee tradition means to them in an effort to win the grand prize: The opportunity to jog out onto the field at the Stadium with the Bombers' starting lineup.
On Wednesday afternoon, Hunter and the other young winners will also get to stand with the players during the national anthem before the game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Whether it's at the ballpark or on TV, Hunter loves to watch the Yankees with his father, who has a knack for turning each game into a dramatic — and educational — event.
“Whenever I'm watching a game with my dad, he gets so excited that he starts to tell stories and sometimes even screams,” wrote Hunter in his winning essay. “I can't help but to get excited, too.”
The Flushing, Queens, native also wrote that his father helps him improve his own understanding of the game, especially the strategy that fuels each batter-pitcher confrontation.
“Seeing (outfielder) Brett Gardner at the plate with a full count, my dad always explains to me that he's expanding his strike zone to make his chances of getting on base increase,” wrote Hunter.
“I also learn how much hard work it takes to become a professional Yankees baseball player.”
He may be only 8, but Hunter understands that professionalism and exhibiting respect for the game at all times is a key component of being a successful major league player — and that it's a trait shared by a pair of New York icons who are obviously well-versed in Yankees tradition.
“My dad always points out how professional players like Derek Jeter and Aaron Judge put their heads down and run the bases after hitting a home run,” wrote Hunter. “This shows me the type of player I should be: One that plays hard and is respectful of the game and others.”