I Might Be Wrong: Unique fans give Aztecs a true home field advantage

Trashon Herndon and Robert Mattingly have special plans for today’s baseball playoff game at Barstow High School.

The super-fan duo will arrive adorned in Aztecs jerseys with painted bodies. They’ll probably also make enough noise for the entire crowd.

It’s not the first time Herndon and Mattling, both seniors at Barstow, have
attended a Barstow baseball game with plans to get noticed.

They’ve called Victor Valley salads for their green attire.

They’ve called balls and strikes before the pitch is even to the plate.

When one opposing player struck out, they chanted, “Your team hates you.”

While the Aztecs are battling on the diamond, Herndon and Mattingly are typically holding court in the stands — all for their favorite team.
“We’re hardcore fans,” Herndon said. “That’s our team.”

Herndon said he’s gone home with headaches from several baseball games due to screaming too much.

The duo has only added to a magical season in which the Aztecs went 8-3 at home and earned their first-ever Desert Sky League title. It will be history in the making when the Aztecs take the field today at home for their first-round playoff game against Norte Vista. No one can remember the last time a Barstow baseball team has earned a home playoff game. The Barstow Athletic Department’s records only go back to 1993. It is believed that the Aztecs last league title came in 1987.

The field at Barstow High School isn’t the friendliest confines to begin with. The opposition has no dugout — just a bench and fence that separates them from the field. Oh yea, and the temperature is expected to reach triple digits.

Herndon and Mattingly’s presence gives the Aztecs even more of an edge.

“We really get focused — so focused it tenses out muscles and everything,” senior pitcher Freezy Smalls said. “To hear them, puts a smile on you’re face, and you can relax and know the game is just here for fun.”

“You can just feel them,” said Phillip Peralta, junior second baseman, “You can just feel their voice, and it just pushes you to play here at home.”

As the Aztecs prepare to bat at home, first-year Barstow coach Sean Sers will stand along the fence by the home stands. Herndon talks, chants and yells all within listening distance of Sers, but Sers remains placid and silent. As he jogs into position coaching third base, he might tip his hat or nod in the direction of Herndon. It’s a subtle gesture of appreciation.

“It’s great to see him here everyday,” Sers said.

Herndon has similar feelings for the Barstow coach, calling him “great” and wishing he had him as a coach.

Sers has talked about mistake-free baseball heading into the playoff matchup against Norte Vista today. The little things count in the playoffs. Play tightens up, meaning something as simple as playing at your field with your fans could make all the difference.

“That’s my team. It’s like the Lakers,” said Herndon, as he paused for comedic timing. “No, I wouldn’t put them that high, but they are close.”
That’s a home field advantage you can’t buy.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4124 or
matthew_peters@link.freedom.com