“The First Strike”
James Wernke Memorial Award
Tribute to a former Southern California Renegades Pitcher
**** The First Strike ****
James will be remembered for his hard work ethics, strong character,
great team mate and being all around great guy…
“The First Strike” award will be given at each Christmas Classic Tournament
to a selected Southern California Renegades pitcher in memory of James Wernke.
2013 – Robert Ay – Southern California Renegades
2012 – Chris Castallanos – Southern California Renegades
2011 – Pitcher – Zach Williams – Southern California Renegades
2010 – Pitcher – Rained Out
2009 – Pitcher – Paul Paez – Southern California Renegades
Excerpt from the Orange County Register 12/20/09 – Funeral
Authorities believe Wernke was swept away by the creek, when the water level was between six and eight feet. Wernke’s mother, Sheri, told the Register this week that she thinks her son let the dog off the leash and had to get in the creek to rescue the dog, which might have jumped into the water.
At the service, many described the 21-year-old as a loving man and dedicated athlete. Wernke was looking forward to making his debut as a Santa Ana Don in January before transferring next summer to Cal State Long Beach on an athletic scholarship.
“He was an absolute perfectionist … he worked his tail off all the time for us,” said Tim Matz, pitching coach for the college, of the left-handed Wernke. “He left a footprint on our mound that can’t be wiped off.”
Attendees donned baseball jerseys, many marked with “Wernke” and the number “5,” which he wore when he pitched for Troy High School. Even one of the fathers who led the service put on a baseball cap to “be in character with all of you,” he told mourners.
The closed casket was brought down the aisle by six pallbearers, Wernke’s friends, who dressed in full baseball uniforms. The body will be taken to Colorado where Sheri, and father Bob Wernke live.
Family friend Glenn Casterline said during his eulogy that he aspired to create the loving relationship shared by the Wernke family with his own children and remembered James for being “not your average 21-year-old guy.”
Wernke’s only sibling, older sister Kristina, said the past week has been a nightmare and that she is struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“Somebody explained to me that heaven needed a really good leftie on their baseball team,” she said, while trying to keep her composure. “I can appreciate that. Who am I to say no?”
As the service came to a close, mourners belted out “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Bob Wernke stood near his son’s casket as the crowd sang, and at one point he broke down in tears and rested his head on the casket.
After the song, Bob Wernke compared the death to a starting pitcher being relieved from the mound after pitching a stellar game.
Telling the priest that for at least this moment church decorum would have to be excused, he asked that everyone give a standing ovation to his son as the casket made its way back up the aisle.
Not a single person stopped clapping until the body was returned to the hearse.
In Remembrance
James Wernke 1987 – 2009