Pirates' Florida Director Delivers Newest Fan at Front Gates of Stadium

Editor's Note: Bradenton Patch, which covers all things Bradenton, including Pirates spring training, filed this story.

Trevor Gooby, the mild-mannered director of Florida operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders, took on an entirely new role Tuesday night: He delivered the newest baseball fan at the front gates of the McKechnie baseball stadium.

This tiny fan arrived with his umbilical cord still attached. Gooby was pressed into duty, helping to deliver the baby, when a pregnant woman went into labor during a "soft opening" night for fans.

"It was definitely an interesting night," Gooby said. "It's an interesting way to start spring training."

The mother, Latasha Renee Kirk, and her newborn son were doing fine Wednesday evening at Manatee Memorial Hospital. In honor of his birth outside the front gates, the baby's parents named him McKechnie.

"He wanted to see what all the noise was about," said his mom.

Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates were playing host to an event for season ticket holders, neighborhood fans and invited guests. There was no game, but the sound system was being tested, concessionaires were working out the kinks and the mascots were trying out their newest moves.

Then a worker spotted a pregnant woman in some pain.

Gooby stepped in to make sure everything was all right when Kirk told him she thought she might be having contractions. Gooby immediately put her in a wheelchair and called 911.

As Gooby wheeled Kirk to the front gate where they were to meet emergency responders, she told him that the baby was coming.

Gooby reassured her that there was plenty of time and that the ambulance would meet them in just a few minutes.

But Kirk insisted. They had reached the front gate, and Kirk looked at Gooby, "The baby is definitely coming."

He sent a couple of staff members to get towels and gloves just in case.

"And then I looked," Gooby said. "I could see the baby's head."

Gooby, 35, has two children and was in the delivery room when his wife gave birth, but that was the extent of his training as far as labor and delivery. But it seems Kirk didn't have time to be too concerned about Gooby's delivery skills.

"She pushed one time, and the baby was out," Gooby said. "We wrapped the baby up in towels. He was crying, and EMS arrived a couple of minutes later and cut the umbilical cord."

Gooby was still in shock as he inspected the field a couple of hours laters.

"This was definitely a first for us," he said, adding that Kirk told him she was also surprised. She was eight-and-a-half months pregnant and had walked to the stadium to join the party. She was feeling fine when she left home.

"She was just as surprised as we were," he said.

Gooby said Kirk told him what she planned to name the baby while they were waiting for EMS to arrive. He joked with her about naming the baby after the director of Florida Operations since the baby was born at McKechnie Field.

"I told her my name is Trevor, and it makes a great name," he said.

Gooby said Kirk had family with her at McKechnie Field and that they all went to the hospital. He checked later with Manatee Memorial and learned that mom and baby were fine.

Baby McKechnie has since received a lifetime membership to the Pirates Kids Club, a Pirates hat, a Marauders onesie, sneakers and baby supplies.

For more coverage of Pirates spring training, check out Bradenton Patch.