PEOPLE OF INTEREST
81
DANNY NINESTINE
Age: 57
Lives in: Port St. Lucie
Occupation: Port St. Lucie
High School Athletic Director
Family: Single
Education: St. Thomas University,
Miami, FL; BA Sports
People
Administration; minors in
communications and physical education
Hobbies: “Playing golf with my close friends and yard work.
I have a green thumb.”
Who/What inspires me: “I grew up in a family that was very
involved in the community. My dad was a teacher and I saw
the impact he had on kids in the community. I have seen
things done the right way and the great way. It inspires me
to make the best situation for the kids whether it is playing
junior varsity or getting a scholarship.”
Something most people don’t know People
about me: “I love to
cook and work in the yard. I am going home for Christmas to
see my family and I will do all the cooking.”
People
hard to discipline athletes when they get into trouble. I wear
many hats in this job.”
Probably the most famous Jaguar athlete to graduate is
Rick Ankiel, a pitcher converted to outfielder who played
for several Major League Baseball teams and works as a TV
announcer. “Rick Ankiels come along once in a lifetime,”
Ninestine said. “All I did for Rick was keep the scouts from
bothering him on days when he was pitching.” Scouts from
all 30 major league teams mobbed the fields when Ankiel
pitched, he said.
Ninestine has battle-hardened instincts and reflexes from
44 years of officiating baseball and basketball games at high
schools and colleges all over the state. That same cool under
pressure demeanor has served him well when people sometimes
have to be ejected.
When a basketball referee, a basketball referee came to
him during a game and said, “If he says one more word, I
am throwing him out.” Ninestine in turn told the spectator,
“You are leaving right now with me or with the guy with the
handcuffs. Take your pick. And I am going to walk you out
and make sure you get into your car and drive away.” The man
left peaceably and came back to a later game a different guy
who never said boo after that, Ninestine said. “I told him, ‘You
didn’t embarrass yourself. You embarrassed your three kids
and their school.’ ”
From behind home plate, Ninestine umpired the opening
New York Mets spring training game in 1998 at what is now
First Data Field in Port St. Lucie. Over the years, he has worked
more than 50 games as a substitute umpire including Los Angeles
Dodger games when they were played in Vero Beach.
He has twice umpired for the Florida High School Athletics
Association Final Four softball tournament. Ninestine
has officiated NCAA basketball, baseball and softball games.
At the local level, he umpired Little League, Babe Ruth and
minor league games in the Florida State League. He has also
umpired Fantasy Camp games in Vero Beach with the campers
playing against old pros.
“You can’t let the crowd get into your head, and you try >>
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