Jonathan Quintero is only 12 years old, but he already is a baseball all-star and has a bat-bag full of memories from his recent "ultimate" road trip.

The Pinecrest youth spent seven days touring Puerto Rico and playing second base for the Roberto Clemente All Stars against some of the island’s toughest amateur baseball teams. He even received tips from a former major league ball player and a professional scout.

"It was a great experience," Quintero said. "The coaches were great, the schedule was terrific. We had a lot of fun."

Quintero, who also pitches and plays the outfield, met his fellow all stars in San Juan and was assigned to one of six 13-member squads. The teams were made up of 13- to 15-year-old youngsters picked from tryouts conducted throughout the United States. During a five-day period, the teams traveled to remote mountain villages and seaside towns to play ball against local squads.

"Those guys were good," said the Kendall Beth Am Day School student. "Of course, the teams we played against have been together for awhile and they play ball just about every day."

Still, Quintero’s team improved as it spent time playing together and finished with a 3-2 record, the best of the six U.S. teams competing.

Asked about his most memorable moment, he recalls without hesitation and in detail a specific play he made.

"We were in our first game, in the fifth inning, and we were winning by two runs," he said. "I made an error and the guy stole second base. Then the pitcher threw an inside pitch and jammed the batter. He hit a little blooper over the mound, I dove for it and caught it. The runner thought the ball was going to drop and ran for third because it was a hit-and-run. I ran all the way back to second base to make the double play, which got us out of the inning."

Aside from baseball, Quintero and his teammates spent time with the local players and their families, eating local cuisine and learning about Puerto Rico’s rich history and culture. They toured famous sites, such as the 500-year-old El Morro Fort, and participated in seminars and goal-setting workshops.

The youngsters also learned about Roberto Clemente and his legendary humanitarian spirit. Baseball’s seven-time Gold Glove first baseman Vic Power and Baltimore Orioles scout German Rivera, both former teammates of Clemente, told the boys about the baseball great’s dedication to helping those less fortunate and how he worked to build bridges of friendship between Puerto Rico and the world. Clemente, regarded as one of the greatest right fielders, died 26 years ago while flying emergency supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims.

The Roberto Clemente All Stars program offers trips to Puerto Rico to young baseball players selected at regional tryouts. For more information, call 800-723-6398, or send inquiries by e-mail to info@clementeallstars.com .

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