NJ Trooper Goes Pro, Will Donate Baseball Contract Money To Sussex Boy

SUSSEX, NJ — The first active-duty New Jersey state trooper to sign a professional baseball contract will donate his salary and any bonuses so that a Sussex County boy can purchase a new wheelchair.

Detective I Miguel Hidalgo signed a one-day, $500 contract with the Miners that also includes slugging bonuses. He will be in the dugout as the Miners take on the New Jersey Jackals at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, the last matchup in a four-game series.

“Depending on my performance, it’s added on to the charity,” Hidalgo explained.

He will give the money to 11-year-old Cash Klem and family, so Cash can get a new semi-powered wheelchair. Cash was diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia, which can cause him to suddenly lose control of his muscles.

This disease of the nervous system can affect people at different ages, and complications “are serious and oftentimes debilitating,” according to the National Ataxia Foundation.

Cash walks with the aid of crutches on his arms and legs, said Hidalgo – so, a wheelchair will help him move more comfortably through life as he continues to grow up.

“You don’t want to see a kid go through that,” Hidalgo said. “You don’t want to see anybody go through it, but it’s tougher when it’s a kid.”

Cash and Hidalgo met last week, and the detective described Cash as “a great kid.”

“He’s awesome,” Hidalgo said. “He’s a lot of fun.”

And before Hidalgo takes the field for the Miners, some of his fellow New Jersey State Police troopers will face neighboring Pennsylvania’s state police in a charity softball game.

The “Battle of the Badges” between the two state police department is at 4 p.m. Thursday, and will also benefit the Klem family. Proceeds will also support the families of a fallen Pennsylvania state trooper and his colleague, who was injured in an ambush last month. Related article —'Battle Of The Badges' Sees NJ State Police Suit Up For Charity Softball Game

Tickets are available, starting at $20, and are valid for both the 4 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. games. Both are at Skylands Stadium (94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822).

Hidalgo has been training with the team after work, and knows he will have to be sharp come Thursday night’s matchup. As of Wednesday night, the Miners are still in a tight race at the top of the Frontier League’s East Division, so every game matters. Both New Jersey teams will be battling to get into the playoffs.

The longtime ballplayer is active in several Bergen County baseball and softball leagues, with friends, he told Patch.

Hidalgo said he and a fellow trooper had the idea in April to do some kind of a fundraiser – with a ball game as the central idea. They connected with the Miners and General Manager Vincent Sangemino, and spoke with the State Trooper station in Sussex County to connect with a local family who could benefit.

“Softball and baseball are team sports, just like community-building is a team sport,” said Sangemino. “We all need to do our part to strengthen and support our communities.”

Along with the idea of a charity softball game, Hidalgo’s fellow trooper asked the detective how he thought he’d fare in an actual baseball game. As he is still an active player, Hidalgo thought he had a fair chance.

He said he has been playing his entire life, during his first five years of childhood in the Dominican Republic and after when his family moved to Hudson County. He also played for Felician University.

“I’ve been blessed,” he said. “It’s a blessing and I’m humbled to be afforded an opportunity to help somebody.”

Hidalgo prefers the shortstop position, but said he was not sure where he would be in Thursday’s line-up during his interview with Patch.

As he will be playing in front of friends and colleagues, and with a child and a team counting on him, Hidalgo said he is both excited for the opportunity to help and ready to play for a win.

“I’m definitely looking forward to having a lot of fun, which I believe it will be…but I’m competitive, so I want to help out and obviously try to get a win,” he said.

Hidalgo suited up with the Miners last Thursday, when he met Cash as well. He didn’t play, but got a better feel for what the game-day experience will be like after spending time at practice. Hidalgo said the team has been enthusiastic and welcoming to their one-time teammate.

“As soon as we were able to set up a working practice, they’ve been awesome,” he said of the players. “They’re all excited for the day, they know it’s a good cause."

Hidalgo's hitting bonuses are as follows, according to the Miners' front office: $50 for walks and stolen bases, $100 for singles, $200 for doubles, $300 for triples and $400 for any home runs.

The charity softball game will also feature honor guards, mascots, bagpipe bands, motorcycle units, and a helicopter flyover, and a New Jersey State Police colonel throwing out the first pitch. It is also "Thirsty Thursdays" night at the ballpark, with $1 draft beers, $2 hot dogs and sodas, and $3 imports, according to the Miners.