Photos By Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — With some big decisions coming this summer, recent St. Bernard’s graduate Michael Manzi is getting ready for a big week on the baseball field.

The four-time all-league selection, who has been one of the best catchers in the H-DNL since his freshman year, has received an invitation to play in this year’s Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase event in Atlanta, Georgia, next week.

Manzi will represent the Bear River Tribe as one of 50 high school Native American players from around the United States and Canada at the showcase event, which will take place at Truist Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves.

The event is hosted by the Native Athletic Foundation in partnership with the Atlanta Braves, and some of the MLB team’s players will be in attendance.

The trip is part of what will be a busy summer for Manzi, who is playing for the Humboldt Eagles 19Us, who are competing at the Petaluma tournament this week.

The summer season follows another standout spring at St. Bernard’s for Manzi, who helped lead the Crusaders to an undefeated league title in a season that saw him receive a fourth White Star in baseball in four years of high school.

The senior batted .372 with 19 RBIs, two home runs and a team-best eight doubles.

But his presence was felt in more ways than that, as he embraced a leadership role on a young St. Bernard’s team that featured 14 freshmen and sophomores combined.

He says helping his younger teammates was one of the most enjoyable parts of the season for him personally.

As a catcher, he also played a pivotal role for a pitching staff that posted an impressive team ERA of 1.81, and he earned the respect of his coaches and opponents for his presence behind the plate.

As a pitcher, he finished 6-0 with an ERA of 1.07 and a team-high 58 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.

He has continued to impress this summer while playing for the Humboldt Eagles, as he considers his future in the game.

Playing with the Eagles, a North Coast all-star team, is allowing the former McKinleyville Little Leaguer reunite with some of his old teammates and friends.

“Honestly, it’s going really good,” he said of the summer season. “I’m playing with all of my old friends from McKinleyville Little League. It’s nice to play with them one more time before we all split.”

It’s also giving him some time to consider his options in college.

This week, he talked to the Chabot College coaches, and he says he is leaning towards the “JUCO route” before taking his talents to a four-year program.

“It went really, really well,” he said of the conversation. “Right now, it’s still up in the air. I’ll probably make my decision by the end of the summer.”

A key consideration for the St. Bernard’s and Eagles standout, who says he wants to major in either “Wild Life or Live Stock,” will be finding the right fit for his favored position.

“I’m definitely looking for the best catcher fit for me,” he said.

In his wake, Manzi leaves an impressive legacy of success at St. Bernard’s, having helped lead the Crusaders to three Little 4 championships in his four seasons of high school baseball.

He also played football for St. Bernard’s, where he also enjoyed plenty of success, but it’s not necessarily what he achieved on the field that he will remember the most from his days as a Crusader.

“I’ll probably honestly remember the Tennessee trip,” he said, referring to the road trip the St. Bernard’s football team took in the fall of 2024. “That was one of my greatest memories in sports. That was definitely fun.”

Manzi also will remember his teammates and the time they spent together, especially fellow seniors Tyler Hinrichs and Luke Brunton and the opportunity to play alongside them on the baseball field, with all three playing pivotal roles on the path to success this past spring.

“I’m definitely going to miss them, and the younger kids too,” he admitted. 

As for the biggest influence on his young career, Manzi singled out two people in particular.

“I would have to say my dad (Grant),” he said “He’s always pushing me to do my hardest, but he pushes me in the right way.

“And I would like to thank my mom (Kim). She’s always been there for me. I just want to say thank you to my mom and my dad, and my grandparents.”

With a college decision coming in the near future, Manzi is excited about the next chapter in his playing career, including next week’s trip to play at a Major League ball park.

“I’ve just got to keep doing my thing and keep playing hard,” he said.

According to MLB.com, “The Native American All‑Star Baseball Showcase is designed to shine a spotlight on talented Native American student‑athletes who are ready to compete at the next level. 

“Each year, the event draws attention from professional scouts, college coaches, and player‑development staff, creating meaningful exposure and opportunities for participating athletes.”

The showcase game will be held on June 28.