Stamford, CT — It is common all over the state to see players wearing their game jerseys in school the day of games. It shows off their pride in their team and lets other students know there is a game that day. The Westhill baseball team, ranked No. 1 in the GameTimeCT Preseason Poll, has taken it a step further, having each player present the teacher that has made the biggest impact on them with a purple jersey before the home opener each season. It was a tradition started by former coach DJ Mulvany and continued by Mike Riveles when he took over as head coach two years ago as a way for the players to thank their favorite teachers or administrators while also promoting the team within the school. With the home openener Saturday, Friday the players wore their own home white jersey to school and presented the teacher with their purple road jerseys. The school posts the photos on social media platforms for all to see. “We do a teacher appreciation for the first game of the season. It’s a tradition we have done since I have been here, all four years,” Westhill senior pitcher Craig Ottaviano said. “We take a photo with our away jersey with a teacher that we feel has helped us a lot throughout the year. We put it on the Westhill Instagram to try to support them like they support us.” Ottaviano’s teacher pick: “Mr. Magnifico, the Italian teacher. He’s been a great mentor for the last three years for me and he taught me a lot.” The jerseys not only honor the teachers but double as a promotion of the upcoming game. “We do a lot of shameless self-promoting in the school trying to get people to come out to games,” Riveles said. “These kids are all great kids and they are easy to root for.” Riveles is a physical education teacher at Westhill but did not receive any jerseys as the players’ favorite teacher. “I expected 19 jerseys and I got none,” Riveles joked. “I gave mine to the principal, the big dog, Mr. Rinaldi. We appreciate what he does for the school. He comes to all of our games and he’s a good cheerleader for us.” Indeed, principal Michael Rinaldi sported his No. 19 jersey all day Friday with the home opener Saturday against Hall. Westhill beat Hall 4-1. Senior catcher Connor Sullivan is in the Agriscience Program at Westhill and gave his jersey to a teacher in that department. “Shout out to Mrs. Marenholz. She’s a teacher in the Ag program and I have been lucky enough to have her as a teacher for three years,”Sullivan said. She’s a great teacher and she has helped me out a lot through my four years.” Jake Benner, who was named as one of GameTimeCT’s 25 Players to Watch this preseason, gave his jersey to a teacher he has had multiple years. “Ms. Cahill because I had her freshman and senior year,” Benner said. “I just want to appreciate her for helping me freshman year and now again senior year.” Benner hit a home run in the season opener. Senior outfielder Mika Petersen attends the magnet school Academy of Information Technology and Engineering (AITE) in Stamford but plays baseball at Westhill and honored one of his teachers too. “Mr. Zara at AITE,” Petersen said. “I had him freshman year and again this year. He’s been one of my favorite teachers, teaching science.” [email protected]; @EricsonSports https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/baseball/article/Westhill-baseball-players-honor-teachers-with-17057368.php