Dear Editor,
Coaching Little League baseball can be a thankless job. I want to publicly thank one local assistant coach for his actions during a recent game, and it has nothing to do with baseball.
On Tuesday, May 17, during a game, one of our players began choking on a water bottle cap. Assistant coach Damon Patterson did not hesitate in jumping in and taking action. Coach Patterson began performing the Heimlich maneuver on the child and continued until the bottle cap was dislodged and removed from the airway.
His awareness of his surroundings, willingness to act, and knowledge of what to do saved a young boy’s life. All of this occurred quickly and quietly without most in attendance realizing what was happening.
I have known Damon Patterson for several years and know that he is a loving husband and father, a strong Christian man, a great American that serves his country and a model citizen. I can now add “lifesaver” to that list.
Thank you Damon.
Robert Black
