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Jewish World Review August 23, 2002 / 15 Elul, 5762
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
In the little town of Williamsport, Pa., it seems everyone knows Micah Golshirazian.
The 12-year-old Orthodox Jew has become quite a celebrity at the Little
League World Series as he and his teammates on Worcester, MA.'s Jesse Burkett
All-Stars attempt to become world champions.
With the fleet-footed Golshirazian serving as a pinch-runner and
sometime-centerfielder, the New England champions won two of their first
three games to capture Pool A and advance to the U.S. semifinals. The U.S.
final is scheduled for today, with the winner advancing to play the
international champion on Sunday.
Because he is Orthodox and cannot play on the Sabbath, Golshirazian could
not enter last Saturday's 8 p.m. game against Webb City, Mo. until the sun
had gone down at 8:43 p.m. ESPN, which has broadcast many of the games,
displayed a clock that was counting down the minutes until Golshirazian
could play.
When the team went on a road trip to nearby Hershey Park, some people
recognized Micah from the television broadcast.
"It's been awesome being here," said Golshirazian, whose family belongs to
Congregation Tifereth Israel in Worcester. "It's been interesting meeting
kids from other countries and hearing them speak different languages."
The whole Golshirazian family -- father Abe, mother Cori, and his three
Brothers -- accompanied Micah to Williamsport. Golshirazian stays in a
dormitory room with his teammates.
Golshirazian played shortstop during the regular season, but has been a
specialist with the Burkett All-Stars. Under Little League rules, he can
serve as a pinch-runner once each inning until the fifth, then if he pinch
runs he must bat once or play three outs on defense.
"He's a good outfielder, and he can run like the wind," Burkett manager Fran
Granger said. "When he gets in there, he steals a base or gets us an extra
base."
Golshirazian's father lauded the Worcester coaches for making such an effort
to allow his son to participate. "You have to give the coaches a lot of
credit. They have been very accommodating and respected us," the elder
Golshirazian said, noting the team bought a separate microwave oven to
prepare his son's kosher food during an earlier tournament.
Golshirazian, who will enter seventh grade at Yeshiva Academy in Worcester
this year, has always loved playing sports. It's a family tradition.
"All my kids are into sports," the elder Golshirazian said. "They play
sports in the house, outside the house, even in the car on long road trips."
Abe Golshirazian, who owns a company that manufactures plastic bags, grew up
in Iran and came to the United States to study at Worcester Polytechnic
Institute. His wife was raised in Natick, MA.
Little League star
observes Sabbath
By David E. Nathan
David E. Nathan is a staff writer with the
The Jewish Advocate. Comment on this article by clicking here.
