RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – As early as 7 a.m. six days a week, Mark Bricker heads to Tijeras Creek Park, where he oversees three Little League baseball fields.
Bricker is charged with making sure the fields are ready for play, the electronic scoreboards are working and the leagues’ belongings are secured in bins when the games are completed.
Bricker has been doing all this for over a year despite the fact that he needs hip replacement surgery, which has made it difficult for him to move around.
His dedication to the Santa Margarita Little League program hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kevin and Diane Casebier, whose two sons played through the program from 2005 to 2012, have found a way to say thanks. They created a GoFundMe page to help pay for his surgery.
“This is a guy who can barely walk right now, but he’s still at the fields doing everything he’s always done,” said Diane Casebier. “Most people who bring their kids to the field…have no idea there is a guy doing everything behind the scenes making it happen.”
Bricker, who volunteers his services for the orgainzation, said he only asks for two things in return: a jersey and a cap.
Since the surgery could cause a financial hardship for Bricker, who also waits tables at Olive Garden in Irvine, the Casebiers are asking for $10,000 through their GoFundMe page, The funds would pay $7,000 for his out-of-pocket expenses for the surgery, plus a little extra for when Bricker is recovering and missing work.
The page went live March 16. Bricker, 60, noticed the page shortly thereafter. As of Wednesday morning, the page had $955.
“First, I started to cry,” he said of seeing the page for the first time. “I couldn’t believe that someone would care that much to do something that nice for me. This is really heartwarming that someone would go out of their way to help.”
Bricker has maintained fields at five locations for both the Santa Margarita Little League and Tijeras Creek Little League, which in recent years was folded into Santa Margarita, since his son, Alex, started playing T-ball in 2003.
Even after his son stopped playing in 2009, Bricker maintained his role as fields manager on the SMLL board of directors. On top of waiting tables at Olive Garden for 35 to 40 hours per week, Bricker is on the fields every morning Monday through Saturday, making sure everything is ready for some 650 players in the league.
“He does it solely because of the fact that he loves Little League baseball, the community and the kids and families who play in the league,” said Paul Persiani, SMLL president. “You’ll never find a more dedicated volunteer. He epitomizes the Little League experience.”
If something is out of order, Bricker fixes the problem himself, or calls the Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation to assist in making repairs.
After the recent rains, Bricker could be seen pumping water off the field and applying sand to get it ready for games or practices.
“I work for the kids,” he said. “I always want to do what’s best for them and my goal is to never let the kids down, ever.”
Bricker’s passion for Little League baseball began when he was a boy. During his time in Little League, which ended in 1969, he admired the work of his league’s fields coordinator, who worked to make sure everything was perfect for his baseball experience.
He’s operated with Santa Margarita Little League in the same vein. And his efforts prompted SMLL officials to unofficially name its Majors field as Bricker Field.
In 2007, Bricker was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a noncancerous brain tumor, and needed surgery to remove it. He recalled that he felt anxious about informing the board of directors about his three-week recovery time because it meant he wouldn’t be able to oversee the fields.
As luck would have it, he was able to schedule the surgery during the league’s spring break, meaning he wouldn’t miss a day of work, he said.
“He’s just an incredible person and he does this without wanting any recognition,” Diane Casebier said.
Sue Back, his general manager with the Olive Garden, said Bricker is so popular that guests will wait to sit in his section, even if tables are available elsewhere.
“It’s a testament to the kind of person he is,” said Back, who is working to juggle resources during his surgery and recovery time. “He has a big passion for people and he’s always smiling.”
For those who would like to help Bricker, visit gofundme.com/mark-bricker-hip-replacement.
Contact the writer: npercy@scng.com
