The Star is profiling Southern Arizona high school athletes whose seasons were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Each high school was asked to nominate an exceptional spring sport athlete who exemplifies greatness on and off the field, court or track.
Refugio βKitoβ Del Cid started playing baseball when he was 7 years old. By the end of his freshman year at Desert View High School, however, the game had become more of a job.
βI wasnβt excited or passionate anymore,β Del Cid said.
Del Cid took his sophomore and junior seasons off, then returned to the field this spring for his senior season.
βImmediately, Kito made a tremendous impression,β first-year coach Matt Garcia said. βFrom Day 1, Kito showed an incredible work ethic and passion for the game. Quickly, he naturally emerged as a leader β on and off the field.β
The 18-year-old Del Cid played outfielder, second base, third base and even pitcher, something that was completely new.
βDespite feeling the pressure to βcatch up,β Kito was always receptive to coaching and new challenges, like pitching,β Garcia said.
The respect between Del Cid and his coach is mutual, with the two still keeping in touch despite the seasonβs cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Del Cid said Garcia βchanged my perspective on baseball.β
βI learned this second go-around to not take it for granted and to play every game like itβs your last,β he said.
Even though Del Cidβs time with the Jaguars is over, heβs hopeful that baseball will still be a part of his life in college β even though heβll focus on school instead of sports moving forward. Del Cid has gotten into the UA and Arizona State, and hopes to make a decision soon.
βBaseballβs huge for me now and something I would really, really miss,β he said, adding that while he knows the chances arenβt great, heβll try to walk on in college.
βI would consider club, but I donβt want to play Sunday league softball. I donβt want to play just to play. I want to still be competitive.β
Del Cid has spent his quarantine pitching and hitting ground balls against the wall in his backyard. He calls his final season of baseball, as short as it was, his favorite part of high school.
βComing back again and playing, everything changed for me. I was already a senior, but forming those relationships with my teammates and playing competitively was really great,β Del Cid said. βThe way we played, the way we were. These are the memories that Iβm going to cherish and enjoy.
βI wish it could have lasted longer, but I was just happy to have that opportunity to meet him and form a relationship with the guys.β
Whichever school he chooses, Del Cid is excited about a future career as a marketing manager, saying that he likes the idea of networking and connecting to sell a product.
βThat seems interesting and fun, and at the end of the day thatβs what I want: Something that makes me happy,β Del Cid said.
Recently, heβs been fascinated by photography. A new top-of-the line cellphone has helped.
βIβve always liked it, but never really did it,β Del Cid said. The grandson of local mariachi legend Refugio βCucoβ Del Cid, itβs no surprise that the younger Del Cid has an artistic side. βHonestly, the whole world is a canvas. You never know what youβre going to see. You just have to be open and always look around.β
