Cloth-covered tables filled the first and third base lines and the area behind home plate Saturday night at Key West High School’s Rex Weech Field. Red and white balloons adorned the conch shells and baseballs that were the centerpieces on each table.
Chef Martin Liz served a buffet dinner as former and future Conch baseball players, plus about 200 parents, coaches and supporters, gathered for the Dinner on the Diamond fundraiser for Key West baseball programs while preparing for Friday’s Opening Day of the high school baseball season.
Coach Ralph Henriquez introduced each varsity player, after his son, Ralphie Henriquez, introduced the younger players who comprise a sort of farm team for the high school Conchs.
“You’ve got a group of guys here who are going to put the uniform on next Friday and continue the tradition of Conch baseball,” organizer Jack Niles said of the 2022 varsity team, after he had introduced former Conch baseball greats, including Major Leaguer Boog Powell, who found huge success with the Baltimore Orioles. The Key West Conchs baseball team has earned 11 state championship titles and is vying for its 12th this year.
Former Conch and Major League Baseball umpire Rich Garcia was the keynote speaker. He officiated two World Series and two perfect games.
Ben Harrison, a former state champion Conch who was named one of the University of Florida’s all-time Top 10 baseball players, also spoke.
Rick Lopez, general manager of Florida Keys Media radio stations and the voice of the Conchs radio announcer, introduced 1998 state champion Conch Christian Twyman.
“He was a scrappy ballplayer,” Lopez said. “Nothing was getting by this kid, no matter what. And after he graduated, he joined the Army and became an Army Ranger, serving five tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.”
Chas Spottswood, who went to the College World Series, was there, along with state champ Bill Spottswood and Conch baseball legend Sam Holland, Sr. The event Saturday was a Who’s Who of Key West baseball, with too many stars to name.
Jack Niles, right, listens as Key West Conch turned Major League Baseball player Boog Powell speaks at Saturday’s Dinner on the Diamond fundraising event for Key West baseball programs. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly 
Rich Garcia prepares for his keynote speech at Saturday’s baseball event. Garcia played Conch baseball before becoming a Major League umpire, who officiated two World Series and two perfect games. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly 
Former Conch player Ben Harrison, one of University of Florida’s Top 10 all-time baseball players, played AAA baseball for a few organizations, including the Oklahoma City Dodgers. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly
“I just want to say how special this place is. When we won the state championship here, diving on that dog pile with all your best friends. Nothing beats those memories,” Harrison told this year’s varsity squad, who were at the dinner in their red-and-white pinstripe jerseys. “We weren’t always the best team, but we thought we were. We went up against Miami powerhouse teams that recruit like college programs. And lemme tell you, we kicked ass.”
“This community raises us up as a whole. The people here are beautiful, inside and out, and it’s made me the man I am today,” Twyman said.
