TREVOR GOOBY, the director of Florida operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Bradenton Marauders, took on an very different role Tuesday night: He delivered a little fan at the front gates of McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.
Gooby was pressed into duty when a pregnant woman went into labor during a "soft opening" party for fans.
"It was definitely an interesting night," Gooby said. "It's an interesting way to start spring training."
Late Tuesday, the mother, Latasha Renee Kirk, and her newborn son were reportedly doing fine at Manatee Memorial Hospital. The baby was named McKechnie K'Marion Brand, in honor of the stadium where he was born.
During Tuesday's event for season ticketholders, neighborhood fans and invited guests, a stadium worker spotted a pregnant woman in some pain. Gooby stepped in to make sure everything was all right when Kirk told him she thought she might be having contractions. Gooby immediately put her in a wheelchair and called 911.
As Gooby wheeled Kirk to the front gate where they were set to meet emergency responders, she told him that the baby was coming.
"She pushed one time and the baby was out," Gooby said. "We wrapped the baby up in towels. He was crying and EMS arrived a couple of minutes later and cut the umbilical cord."
Gooby was still in shock hours later. "This was definitely a first for us," he said.