Arlington Heights ballplayer honored with Garrett Finnerty Award

Vince Reisel of Arlington Heights didn't make the All-Star team this year in his fifth and sixth grade Majors Division, but he earned an even bigger reward: He was named the second recipient of the Garrett Finnerty Sportsmanship Award.

"This award goes to someone who loves playing baseball, being on a team, and is a pleasure to have as a teammate," says Bill Spicer, president of the Arlington Heights Youth Athletic Association.

"These are the qualities Garrett always showed and they are the same qualities we hope to honor for many years to come."

Garrett Finnerty and his parents, Patricia and Kevin, died in a fire that spread through their Arlington Heights house one year ago.

The sportsmanship award was one of the first of many tributes to honor the family, but this one particularly reflected Garrett, who had just completed fifth grade.

It was awarded to Vince on Saturday at Melas Park in Mount Prospect, before the start of the Majors All-Star game.

Vince was selected from the more than 300 fifth- and sixth- grade ballplayers in the division, from across Arlington Heights and neighboring communities.

"Vince reminds me of Garrett a lot," says his Rangers coach, Jeff Aumuller of Arlington Heights. "He runs from the car to the practice or game field, and never misses a game or practice. In fact, he's always one of the first to show up."

Aumuller adds that while Vince struggled at the plate during his first season after stepping up to the Majors, he still gave his teammates high-fives on his way back to the bench and always cheered on the next batter.

Beyond his love of the game, Vince displays an intangible that Garrett also had, Aumuller adds, a genuine kindness and a rare ability to think of his teammates first.

Vince is a triplet, and he shared the award with his siblings, John and Maggie, older sister Allison, and parents, Eileen and Bob.

"We know these awards don't come along very often," Eileen Reisel said. "It has been really meaningful to Vincent about what is important in life."