Nevada
Pair of Southern Nevada fathers thrilled to watch their sons play at JUCO World Series
There is nothing more a parent wants more than for their child to live and achieve their dreams.
Two sets of fathers and sons are sharing that dream at the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series.
Mike Cruz, who played for the College of Southern Nevada in the 2003 JUCO World Series, and Coyotes coach Nick Garritano are watching their sons play in the 2024 national championship tournament.
“It gives me goosebumps,” Cruz said of getting to watch his son play in the JUCO World Series. “It’s awesome. It was all his decision to come here. It’s exciting, it was for me. I’m so glad him and his team get to experience it.”
Garritano has not played in the JUCO World Series but is coaching the Coyotes in it for a second time, but this time his son, Nick Garritano Jr. is playing.
“It’s a feeling I cannot describe in words,” Garritano said. “To be able to share the field with him in this stadium is a dream come true to be honest. There will be memories we will share for the rest of our lives. I feel truly blessed.”
Cruz, who helped the Coyotes win the 2003 national title, made the trip from Reno, Nevada, to watch his son, Mike Cruz Jr.
The Coyotes (51-10) defeated Northwest Florida State College 7-6 on Saturday in the World Series.
Cruz Sr. started at third base for the Community College of Southern Nevada in its first JUCO appearance in only the program’s fifth year of existence. The Coyotes lost their first game to Seminole College (Fla.), but came back through the losers’ bracket, winning five consecutive games to win the national title. They were the first team to lose their first game of the tournament and come back to win the national title. Cruz received the Jay Tolman Outstanding Defensive Player award.
“Oh, man, what an experience,” Cruz said. “We lost our first game to Seminole Florida. The first pitch of the game was a triple off the fence. We were all, ‘Whoa!’ After that game, our moral was high. We still knew we were going to do it. No one doubted it.”
Cruz went on to play at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and is now a heavy equipment operator for a construction company in Reno.
“Grand Junction is the top by far,” Cruz said regarding his baseball experience. “Later in the week, the stands will be packed. Signing autographs for kids is amazing. You don’t sign autographs in high school or at CSN or UNLV.”
Those memories came rushing back while sitting in the stands watching his son warm up for Saturday’s game.
“I get to live it again,” Cruz said. “Being here brings everything back like it was yesterday. It was an incredible experience. These kids will never forget it.”
Cruz’s girlfriend at the time, Alise Porto, was at the tournament pregnant with Mikey.
Cruz Jr., who goes by Mikey, was at the ballfield with his parents as Cruz went on to play at the next level, wearing his dad’s batting gloves and played baseball as long as he can remember, but he didn’t come to Southern Nevada because of his dad.
“It is definitely cool, but I didn’t get an opportunity to play here because of my dad,” Mikey said. “I didn’t decide to come here because of my dad. I felt it was the best fit for me. I do want to achieve the same goal as my dad when he was here.”
Cruz Sr. has supported his son — from choosing to play baseball on his own and where he would play college baseball. Cruz Jr., a sophomore, is committed to play at UNLV next year.
“He’s been one of my number one supporters and my mom’s been one of my number one supporters throughout my whole baseball career,” Mikey said. “He just says the same thing as the coaches say, cherish every moment and make the best of it because you never know when it will be over. I’m grateful it’s not over yet.”
Nick Garritano Jr., who goes by Nicky, grew up playing baseball and always wanted to play for his dad.
“These last two years have been awesome,” Nicky said. “I’ve grown up around the field, knowing I want to play for him. Sometimes it’s hard, but at the end of the day it is a blessing.”
Nick Garritano took over the program in the fall of 2010, only six months after the Coyotes played in the 2010 JUCO World Series. Garritano, though, was the second coach hired after Tim Chambers retired in November 2010.
The coach that took over for Chambers broke recruiting rules and was put on probation for two years. That coach was let go and Garritano came in to clean up the mess. Southern Nevada lost 10 scholarships in that probation.
Six and a half years later, Garritano had the Coyotes back in the World Series and Nicky, was there for it. He was 13-years-old when they qualified in 2017.
“I remember Grand Junction being really cool and the stadium was super cool,” Nicky said. “It was a fun tournament to watch. It really was cool to see so many people in the stands. It is a lot more than what we’re used to playing in front of back home. It was a really good atmosphere too.
“I finally get to play. This is a good group. If we play our brand of baseball, we will be alright. We have good chemistry. We’ve been through just about every situation imaginable on the field.”
For Coach Garritano, coaching his son in the JUCO World Series is the highlight of his 28 years in baseball.
“He’s been a part of the program since he was a little boy,” Garritano said of his son. “He and I both have really tried to make this about the team. From day one I told him you are going to earn the respect of your teammates. He won’t be given everything. He’s treated no different than the other players.
“To know this is coming down to the last six or seven days, it’s the coolest experience I’ve ever had. It’s hard, it’s not easy, because every parent, every dad sitting in the stands today wants their kids to do as good as they can. When they struggle, they feel it too. I’m a dad too. I’ve got to be careful not to be too exuberant, but at the same time, as a coach/dad on the field, it’s a little bit of a juggling act, but I think we’ve done a good job of handling that.”
Whether the Coyotes can duplicate the success of the 2003 team or not, the father-son duos will leave Grand Junction with a memorable experience they will get to share for years to come.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Nevada State Police is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash Sunday morning.
The crash happened around 9:43 a.m. and closed down Cheyenne eastbound at the 215, according to NSP, along with Shadow Peak Road westbound on Cheyenne.
State Police said the area will be closed approximately four to five hours for investigation.
According to State Police, one adult woman was pronounced dead at the scene and three juveniles were hospitalized and are stable as of Sunday afternoon.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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With the primary election behind us and the general election fewer than five months away, we stand at a critical juncture in the history of our republic. The cornerstone of our nation’s strength lies in the integrity of our electoral process. Yet, recent years have seen a troubling erosion of trust in our elections. It’s vital that every Nevadan recognize the importance of upholding confidence in the 2024 election.
In a democracy, the legitimacy of our government derives from the consent of the governed. When citizens lose faith in the electoral system, the very foundation of our republic is compromised. Trust in the electoral process is not merely a matter of convenience or partisan advantage — it is fundamental to the functioning of our democratic institutions. Without it, the fabric of our society frays, and the bonds of citizenship weaken.
Nevadans must reject the corrosive rhetoric that seeks to undermine our democratic institutions. We must stand united in defense of the integrity of our elections, regardless of party affiliation. That’s why we are proud to stand with RightCount, a Republican-led entity that is committed to restoring trust in our elections. With RightCount’s help, we will dig into the questions and concerns Nevadans have and shine a light on the vote-counting process. The strength of our democracy lies in our ability to come together as a community and uphold the principles that bind us as Americans.
Nevada has a rich history of civic engagement and participation. From the silver mines of the Comstock Lode to the bustling streets of Las Vegas, our state has been shaped by the contributions of generations of hardworking and patriotic Nevadans. At the heart of our shared heritage is a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. This year’s upcoming elections present us with an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to free and fair elections. Nevadans will likely determine not only who will win the White House, but also which party will control the U.S. Senate next year — the eyes of the country will be upon us in November. At the state level we will decide whether or not Gov. Joe Lombardo’s veto can be sustained by electing more Republicans to the Legislature.
And while our state as a whole has an interest in serving as a model for the nation, so too does our Republican Party. Complaining about the rules every time we come up short is not a recipe for advancing a conservative agenda. Nevada’s former secretary of state, a fellow Republican, said there was no “evidentiary support” that widespread voter fraud occurred in the state’s 2020 election. Additionally, two prominent Nevada GOP lawmakers, state Sen. Jeff Stone and Assemblyman Ken Gray, recently reversed themselves and now say that there was no evidence that massive voter fraud occurred in the 2020 election.
Of course, all eligible voters should have the confidence that their voice will be heard and their vote will be counted. This requires not only robust safeguards to protect against fraud but also transparency and accountability at every stage of the electoral process. Any indication of irregularities must continue to be thoroughly investigated and resolved to ensure the integrity of our elections.
It is incumbent upon our elected officials, from the governor’s mansion to the Legislature, to demonstrate leadership in promoting trust and confidence in our electoral system.
This means investing in voter education, ensuring access to the ballot box for all eligible citizens and rigorously enforcing laws against election interference and fraud.
But the responsibility does not rest solely with our elected leaders. Each and every one of us has a role to play in safeguarding the integrity of our elections. Whether by volunteering as poll workers, engaging in civil discourse or simply casting our ballots with conviction, we can all contribute to the strength of our democracy.
In the end, the vitality of our democracy depends on the faith and trust of the people. Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of self-government and civic participation. Together, let us ensure that the 2024 elections are a testament to the enduring strength of our democracy and the resilience of the American spirit.
Robert List, a Republican, served as Nevada governor and attorney general. Heidi Seevers Gansert, Republican from Reno, is minority leader of the state Senate.
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