A dream came true last Saturday when a young Winslow boy caught a very special home run ball during the Diamondbacks’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Parker Stubblefield attended the game in Phoenix with his parents, brother and a friend, arriving early to watch batting practice and perhaps catch one of the balls.

According to a letter from Parker’s mother Donna Stubblefield, the boys didn’t have much luck. “Our younger son Parker, who is 10 years old, wearing his No. 44 Goldschmidt jersey, was very discouraged since all he has ever wanted to do was to catch a ball at a major league game and has never even come close,” she wrote.

As the game began Parker and the other boys sat in left field attentively watching the game. It promised to be a good one, because Diamondbacks rookie Archie Bradley and Dodgers Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw were both pitching that day and the bleachers were crowded.

“The game was very exciting since we were winning 4-0 in the seventh inning, with Bradley giving up only one hit the entire game. The bottom of the seventh came around and Paul Goldschmidt was up to bat with one man on base. All of a sudden Goldy hits a two-run homer out to left center field right toward the boys! Lo and behold our son Parker ended up coming up with the ball in the most memorable moment of his life!” Donna said.

She explained what made the event even more special is that Paul Goldschmidt has been Parker’s all time hero since he was a rookie with the Diamondbacks six years ago when Parker was only 4. “We saw Goldy play his very first game in the playoffs in 2009 when he hit a grand slam. Ever since then Parker has been a huge fan, idolizing him and trying to play the game of baseball just like him,” Donna said, adding that Parker tries hard and is very humble at all times, “just like Goldy.”

Parker’s mother feels certain that catching the ball brought another dream of Parker’s that much closer in his mind. “Just like many other young boys, Parker loves baseball with all his heart. He dreams of making it to the major leagues some day and hopes to be as good of a player, both on and off the field, as Goldy is. He truly is an inspiration for Parker. But for now he will continue to have big dreams…and will cherish that moment for the rest of his entire life.”

Parker Stubblefield catches a home run ball hit by Diamondbacks player Paul Goldschmidt during last Saturday’s game.