April 19 (5pm): T-Mobile Park Highline Pirates Game

Free Family Event: Highline Pirates take on Nathan Hale HS at T-Mobile Park on Friday at 5pm.  It’s their annual taste of the “big leagues.”

by Jake Knight
Burien-News Sports Writer

Highline baseball head coach Jonny Locher reminisces on his time playing for Highline High School at T-Mobile Park ahead of their annual appearance at the Seattle Mariners home field.

“I just remember the outfield being the best outfield you’ve ever played on; it’s noticeably flat,” Locher says. “You go up to bat, and you see the video board, you see yourself on the video board. It’s all exciting, it’s all fun.”

The Highline Pirates are used to playing at their home field, Moshier Memorial Park. The wraparound bleachers hold around 200 fans, but on Friday, they will be playing in front of 47,000 seats.

First pitch for the Pirates is 5pm Friday night, set to face Nathan Hale High School at T-Mobile Park. Locher knows how special of a moment this is for his players.

“It’s just something you dream on as a kid,” Locher says. “You watch Major League Baseball and just to be up close and personal with what you dream about as a little kid, it’s a great experience.”

Senior Trenton Savage has played in the big league park the past two seasons. He says the introductions before the game on the field was when he realized he was playing where his idols play. 

“I just felt like everybody was looking at me like I was in the big leagues,” Savage says.

Freshman catcher and pitcher Jo-Jo Barron is the younger brother of Jaden Barron. Jo-Jo has had to sit in the bleachers over the last few years, watching his older brother and friends get the opportunity to play at the prestigious field. This is what it means to him, getting the chance to join them this year.

“Everything, I mean not just being there where the pros play but being able to play with my brother, Trenton, and all the guys I’ve known since I was little, it definitely feels like the little brother is finally there,” Barron says. “It’s something I’ve been waiting for since I was little.”

Although the stadium might be bigger, this game counts in the  standings all the same as the others. Locher’s message to his team remains constant.

“Every game, you want to be approaching it with the same consistent attitude and focus,” Locher says. “That’s really, as a coach, what you’re trying to instill, playing good defense, trying to stay within yourself, playing quality baseball, playing winning baseball. Nothing changes there.”

Savage has a reminder to all his teammates, whether they’ve played at T-Mobile Park before or not.

“Just go out there with confidence. Just go out and show everybody how good you are,” Savage says.

If you’re looking to catch the game in person at the stadium, fans are welcome free of admission. Head to the ballpark Friday and watch the Highline players get the chance to play at T-Mobile Park.