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Henry Beltran (left) and Rudy Seanez shake hands after being inducted into the Imperial Valley Baseball Network Hall of Fame on Monday night in El Centro. (STEVEN ESPERANZA PHOTO / January 21, 2013) |
The Imperial Valley Baseball Network inducted two new members, former major league pitcher Rudy Seanez and long-time youth and high school coach Henry Beltran into its Hall of Fame on Monday night, honoring them with at a dinner at the Eagles Lodge in El Centro.
Attendees also honored the IVBN 18-and-under baseball team which finished third in the annual Cecil Fielder Elite World Series this past New Year’s Eve in Yuma with all proceeds going toward the Fred Yturralde Scholarship Program.
"This organization was founded in 2008 to motivate young players and make them aware of the possibilities of playing beyond high school,” IVBN president Ruben Niebla said. "And to recognize individuals who have contributed in the development of baseball in our community.”
Henry Beltran
Beltran was introduced by a video from former Calexico High baseball coach Gene Bartow, who is currently living in Redding, and lauded Beltran’s contributions to the youth of Calexico.
Beltran has been an assistant to five Calexico High baseball coaches including Sergio Rubio who also introduced him, noting that he had played Little League All-Stars on a team coached by Beltran some 30 years ago.
“I want to thank God, my wife, Frances, my family and all the coaches I’ve worked with and Ruben Niebla and the IVBN for this honor,” said Beltran, a 62-year-old Vietnam War veteran who still plays in an over-60 veterans' baseball team in Mexicali.
Rudy Seanez
A Brawley native, Seánez made his major league debut at 20-years-old for the Cleveland Indians on September 7, 1989, just three years after pitching for the Brawley Union High Wildcats.
Seanez was recognized by IVBN historian Bob Diaz for his longevity in playing almost four decades in the major leagues, his more than 500 innings pitched, a career 41-30 record and 574 strikeouts.
Niebla noted that Seanez was wearing the World Series ring which he earned as a member of the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies.
"Thank you coaches and it’s an honor to be among all these people and I appreciate it,” Seanez said pointing to the portraits of past IVBN Hall of Fame honorees which include Elmer Belcher, Ruben Canche, Bob Elliott, Doug Harvey, “Babe” Henry, “Lefty” Martin, Dave Middleton, Paul Serna, Eddie White and Yturralde.
Seanez, who operates Seánez Sports Academy in Imperial and coaches and sponsors youth baseball teams, then directed his comments to the players in the audience.
“Whenever you practice, practice hard … give your coaches your all,” Seanez said. “You have a lot of great coaches who have a lot to give you …take advantage of it … everybody here is here to help you.”
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