TEIG:<\/strong> \u00a0Jon was just shy of his 14th<\/sup> birthday when he became a full-fledged Kernels batboy in 2000. In 1999, Jon had been a guest batboy several times, and he was hooked.<\/p>\n Jon loves baseball. In grade school and middle school, he played in a recreational baseball program with friends, and he always looked forward to going to Kernels games.<\/p>\n One day in the Fall of 1999, I happened to see General Manager Jack Roeder as we were crossing the street in opposite directions. Jack knew us as regulars from Kernels games, and knew Jon specifically from the times he was on the field as a guest batboy.<\/p>\n I asked Jack if they were ever looking for new batboys, and he set up a job interview for Jon. Jack talked to Jon in the cramped office at the old ballpark and \u201chired\u201d Jon on the spot for the next season.<\/p>\n I say \u201chired\u201d because Jon was going to be five months short of being able to officially work. He didn\u2019t get paid because of that, but got lots of stuff from the souvenir stand. That was fine with Jon because he would have paid them for the chance to be a batboy.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> \u00a0I\u2019ve got to think he was instantly embraced. As parents, much less as parents of an Autistic child, how did that acceptance make you feel?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> One time that first year, we heard the players were kidding around and taped Jon to a support beam in the clubhouse. Some might think they were being mean, but we knew ballplayers and how they like to mess with each other. We knew then Jon had been accepted as one of the guys. Not a kid who had trouble with his speech, but one of the guys!<\/p>\n The only time better than that was when Mike Napoli taped Jon to a chair and put a hotdog in front of him where he couldn\u2019t get it. Jon was known for not being bashful when it came to food in the clubhouse.<\/p>\n Not only have the staff and players embraced Jon, but the fans have. It took a few years for word of Jon\u2019s autism to reach them because, from the stands, you can\u2019t tell. But they know Jon has made his mark on the game by things like doing the \u201cFamily Guy\u201d \u201cPeanut Butter Jelly Time\u201d dance in the dugout for rally time; catching foul balls that go over the backstop screen and bounce off the press box back over the screen (I\u2019ve never figured out how he knows where the ball will go and he\u2019s there waiting for it); and being the first one \u2013 every time — to rush the field when the Kernels win.<\/p>\n The fans know this 28-year-old man as \u201cJon-Jon\u201d the batboy.<\/p>\n To give you an example, a few games ago, Jon was going to give a baseball to a young fan a few rows up and who happened to have Down Syndrome. I asked the dad if it was okay, and, as I walked down the steps with his son, I pointed to my son and said \u201cThat\u2019s Jon-Jon.\u201d His response? \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n And through all this, to Jon \u201cIt\u2019s my job.\u201d Nothing particularly special, just the way things are supposed to be for anyone. That\u2019s all we have ever wanted for Jon, and at the ballpark he has it.<\/p>\n How many people honestly can say they have their dream job? The only one I know of stands on the top steps of the Kernel\u2019s dugout for every game at Perfect Game Field.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> \u00a0Ever have any \u201cno\u2026maybe this isn\u2019t for us\u201d moments?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> As a parent, yes; but Jon, never! Early on, there was a game when Jon ran out to grab a bat before the play was over. Turns out there wasn\u2019t a problem, but it could have interfered with the game and Jon could have been hurt. We wondered if Jon would know when it was ok to go out on the field or pick up a ball that came towards the dugout.<\/p>\n But like everyone, he had to learn a new job, and he\u2019s done it. When it\u2019s game time he keeps his eye on the home-plate umpire for the signals about how many balls to take out. Ever notice that? He watches the field for signals that that umpire needs Gatorade. Ever notice that? He is always watching so he can take care of his responsibilities<\/p>\n During the game, Jon is all business and serious about what he does. There are many times I try to talk to him between at-bats, and he usually says \u201cI have to work now.\u201d<\/p>\n There was one visiting manager who didn\u2019t understand Jon\u2019s disability and demanded Jon not work in his dugout. Jon was upset, and thought he had done something really wrong when he was told he was not allowed on the visitor\u2019s side. I asked to meet with the manager to find out why he had banned Jon from his dugout.<\/p>\n It turned out that, while Jon was working their side, if the Kernels had something good happen, Jon would smile. The manager thought Jon was mocking his team. After I explained Jon\u2019s autism and why he would smile if his team did well, the manager backed off.<\/p>\n Without prompting, Jon apologized to the manager for anything that had upset him, but the manager never apologized to Jon for how he had made Jon feel. It was apparent who was the better man.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> \u00a0I read that Jon gets paid $30 a game. Is that the going rate to be a batboy in the Midwest League or is Jon too proud to take a raise?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> We have no idea how much batboys get paid by other teams or even what the other Kernels\u2019 batboys get paid. Jon isn\u2019t too proud to take a raise; he just would never think to ask for or expect one.<\/p>\n He is proud of the fact he can earn money on his own, but that\u2019s not why Jon has been with the Kernels for 15 years. Days when he\u2019s not working his other job at Scheels, he\u2019ll be at the ballpark six hours before the first pitch — helping out, catching fly balls during BP, and hanging out with the guys. Like I said before, if the Kernels only knew\u2026 Jon would pay them to be batboy!!<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> For the longest time, the Kernels were the single-A affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels. After the 2012 season, the Minnesota Twins stepped in and took over. Was Jon keeping his job a no-brainer or was it something he had to apply for?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> Jon works for Cedar Rapids Ball Club, Inc., and not the Major League affiliate, so that transition was easy. We were concerned, though, about Jon\u2019s allegiance. Jon is a faithful fan to his core, and his loyalty is unwavering.<\/p>\n At one point, he knew half the Angels\u2019 on the Major League roster. And they knew him. For eight years when we went to Spring Training in Arizona, Minor League players would yell across the practice fields: \u201cJon-Jon.\u201d<\/p>\n As fans stood in line futilely trying to get players to come over and give an autograph, they wondered \u201cwho is this guy who just stands there with a smile while Mike Trout, Peter Bourjos, Howie Kendrick, Mike Napoli, Mark Trumbo, Erick Aybar, and others walk over to him, give him a hug, and stop to talk?\u201d That would be hard for anyone to let go of.<\/p>\n But the Spring Training after the Twins signed with the Kernels, Jon had a choice of going to Tempe or going to Ft. Myers. We didn\u2019t go to Florida for the beach.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> \u00a0Clearly the Kernels love Jon. \u00a0They\u2019ve dedicated a night each of the past few seasons to raising money for Autism Action by holding postgame jersey auctions and, on August 7, they\u2019re actually holding \u201cJon Teig Bobblehead Night\u201d. What was Jon\u2019s response to getting his own bobblehead?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> Jon is excited to be having his own bobble head night. And he\u2019s proud of his job and how he does it. More than once he has talked about August 7 saying, \u201cI bet it will be sold out.\u201d You should have seen Jon\u2019s face when Scheels had a fake staff meeting to surprise him and unveil a picture of the bobble head mockup.<\/p>\n But to Jon, this isn\u2019t something that goes to his head. As he\u2019s often said, \u201cIt\u2019s just baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> What was the response from the community?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> Even people who are not baseball fans have said they are going to the game. When Scheels was asked if they would sponsor the bobble head, they jumped at the chance. And they aren\u2019t doing it for the advertising, \u201cwe\u2019re doing this for Jon.\u201d<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> A couple years ago, you packed up the family and traveled to California to see the Angels up close and in action. Naturally, there were several former Kernels on hand and, of course, they were excited to see Jon. Tell me about that reunion and that makes you feel as a father?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> In September 2012, Jon walked on the field at Angels Stadium to watch BP. The first player to yell \u201cJon-Jon\u201d and run over to give him a hug was Mike Trout.<\/p>\n And there were others: Hank Conger, Bobby Wilson, Erick Aybar, Alberto Callaspo, Howie Kendrick, Mark Trumbo . . . The Angels were playing the Rangers, and Mike Napoli came over and told us the tape and hotdog story. He also told us a story we hadn\u2019t heard.<\/p>\n Jon had come home one night with his shoe laces cut off and we never knew exactly what had happened. It got cleared up when Mike volunteered the story about how the players had tied Jon\u2019s and another batboy\u2019s shoes together \u2013 while they were in them. The laces were tied so tight, they had to cut them apart. It says something that Nap would remember this after so many years.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> One of the guys most excited to see Jon was all-world outfielder, reigning American League MVP Mike Trout. What was their reunion like? And what does that say about Trout as a person?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> Again, Mike was the first player to run across the field and hug Jon. Jon was totally cool about it \u2013 \u201chey, he\u2019s my friend.\u201d Jon isn\u2019t star struck by these baseball stars; he knew them when they weren\u2019t. He isn\u2019t interested in autographs. You don\u2019t ask friends for autographs.<\/p>\n Mike and Jon were just happy to see each other. Mike asked Jon about back home in Cedar Rapids, and Jon complimented Mike on how many home runs he\u2019d hit. Of course, Jon knew the number!<\/p>\n Jon sent his first bobble head to Mike, and a staff member took a picture of Mike opening it. You can see from Mike\u2019s expression that it meant something to him.<\/p>\n These are things people don\u2019t know about players. There are some players who are full of themselves, but it seems baseball is full of good folks. It says a lot about Mike and others that they not only remember a batboy from one of their many stops on the way to the big leagues, but they also have their faces light up when they see him.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> Conversely, Jon was asked to meet future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, but refused. Why?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> Funny story. We\u2019re just glad Jon was polite about it. Like I said, Jon isn\u2019t in awe of the stars. While we were on the field for BP in 2012, Albert Pujols was about six feet away from us. We were talking to Mike Scioscia, and an Angels staffer asked Jon if he wanted to meet Pujols. Jon said, \u201cNo, thanks. He\u2019s not a Kernel.\u201d \u2018Nuff said.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> In your estimation, who has meant more to who\u2026Jon for the Kernels or vice versa?<\/p>\n TEIG:<\/strong> They perfectly complement each other. Jon has been so fortunate in his life. Don\u2019t think it has been easy. There have been lots of really bad experiences \u2013 one from a school administrator who chose athletes over acceptance. But there always has seemed to be a guardian angel along the way to help Jon make the most of every opportunity he has had. Peers, teachers, school staff, friends, neighbors, the Kernels, Scheels, and especially Jon\u2019s brother Alex . . . they all have had a huge part in helping Jon grow into the person he is today.<\/p>\n Probably the most noticeable impact of Jon\u2019s autism is on his speech. Complete sentences are rare.\u00a0\u00a0 Several years ago, I was helping take things into the clubhouse after the Kernels had lost. Jon tried to get the players\u2019 attention because he wanted to say something.<\/p>\n Players shushed each other, and Jon gave them a pep talk. A pep talk!! It was halting and maybe less than eloquent, but they listened and heard him. To me, it was the Gipper speech. I never would have heard that if Jon hadn\u2019t had the support and kindness of so many over the years.<\/p>\n As far as Jon\u2019s impact on others, I can\u2019t say. You\u2019d have to ask them. But there\u2019s one more story I can tell.<\/p>\n Earlier this season, the Kernels had one of their charity fundraising silent auctions of game-worn jerseys. I was bidding on Jon\u2019s BB jersey, and a young woman was bidding me up to a price higher than for many of the players\u2019 jerseys. She finally asked who I was, and I told her I was Jon-Jon\u2019s dad and I was bidding for him. She kindly moved her attention to another jersey, but not before she told me why she was bidding on Jon\u2019s.<\/p>\n She comes to a lot of Kernels games, had watched Jon, and knew about Jon\u2019s autism. She has a brother in his 20s who has autism, and she thought it would be good for him if she could tell him about Jon and give him Jon\u2019s jersey.<\/p>\n HOVG:<\/strong> Lastly, it was last year\u2019s Glenn Burke Memorial Courage Award winner, former Kernels infielder Tanner Vavra who put his support behind Jon for this year. What does that say about Tanner and what does Jon being recognized mean to Jon and to you?<\/p>\n![\"Bob](\"http:\/\/wp.usatodaysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/95\/2015\/07\/jon-teig-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bob](\"http:\/\/wp.usatodaysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/95\/2015\/07\/jon-teig-5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bob](\"http:\/\/wp.usatodaysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/95\/2015\/07\/jon-teig-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n