The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize Natan Solomon as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The 11-year-old is described by former coach Howard Teitelman as “a player that loves every aspect of the game of baseball. He is talented offensively and defensively, always contributing to the team in each outing [sic]. Natan is a great catcher, fast-ball pitcher and a solid third basemen. At bat, he is recognized as a high on-base percentage player who can drive the ball to the outfield or hit a chopper toward third to drive in runs. Best of all, Natan is a mensch.”
The TBO season was just beginning on a clear, crisp night when the 11th/12th TBO teams Law Offices of Moshie Solomon, P.C. and Leasco faced off against each other under the lights at the clubhouse field. Locked at 2-2 entering the top of the 3rd, all-star catcher Natan Solomon was leading off the inning. On 1-1 pitch, Natan hit a monster shot that went to the left-center outfield fence on one bounce. Solomon raced out of the batter’s box and sprinted towards first; he easily rounded first then bolted to second. Watching the play develop, and with the encouragement of his coaches, Natan was staring at a triple. The Leasco outfielder picked up the ball from in front of the fence and relayed it to the shortstop who turned and fired to his third basemen. Natan made a hard and clean textbook slide into the third base bag but unfortunately suffered a severe, season-ending leg injury. [Per TBO rules, the runner is awarded the next base and Natan Solomon was credited with a TBO Home Run,]
Natan’s father (and team sponsor) Moshie Solomon was coaching third base and had an all too-clear view of the incident. Moshie told the JLNJ “Natan was immediately in a ton of pain and did not even try to stand or move, just screaming in pain. The coaches (especially Seth Greenfield, Natan’s coach) handled the situation incredibly professionally and Natan was on a TVAC ambulance within 15 minutes of the injury.”
Natan ended up at Hackensack University Medical Center Children’s Hospital, where it was discovered that he had multiple fractures of his lower left leg, and a dislocated ankle. The ER doctor popped the ankle back into place, and Natan was admitted to the hospital overnight. He had surgery the next day, when a plate was put on one bone and pins in the other. Natan hopes to be healed and ready for fall travel baseball (Natan has been a catcher and pitcher on the Teaneck TBO travel team since he was eight).
The Solomons have sincere hakarat haTov to TBO for the way it handled the injury on the field and the care and concern from Natan’s coaches (Seth Greenfield and Ari Eckman) the TBO board, and Natan’s teammates during the recovery period afterward. His friends from Yeshivat Noam came after school every day that Natan was at home to visit with him and encourage high spirits. For a child who lives, eats and breathes baseball and sports, this has been a very difficult time. It is only with the help of his friends that he has been able to get through this with a positive outlook.
While he was recovering, we asked Natan a couple of questions:
Natan, who is your role model?
My role model is my older brother Ari, because he introduced me to sports and who to root for.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is David Wright because he has good sportsmanship.
Do you have a go-to pre-game meal?
My pre-game meal is usually pizza snaps and iced tea.
What is your earliest sports memory?
When my travel summer team was in the semifinals and we beat an undefeated team. I struck out the last batter but we lost in the championship.
What is your favorite sports memory?
In TABC junior hockey I won the award First Team All-Star.
What is your favorite thing to do when not playing sports?
I like to play x-box and hang out with friends
What is the best thing about being a sports star?
The best thing about being a sports star is playing on a team with great teammates on the field and off the field.
The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]
