Nambiar was named Class AA HS Baseball Player of the Year.
By Raif Karerat
Follow @ambazaarmag
WASHINGTON, DC: Kumar Nambiar may be a rarity among bullpens as an Indian American who competitively plays American baseball, but the lack of South Asian representation on the baseball diamond has not stopped Nambiar from leading his Westchester county high school to a Class AA state title in June, which has led to subsequent honors off the field, as well.
On August 2, Nambiar was honored by the Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester at the annual Heritage of India Festival at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, New York.
The recognition comes shortly after the teenager was named the Class AA High School Baseball Player of the Year by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
“Kumar’s accomplishments on the baseball field are something that the Indian community does not see often,” said Himanshu Pandya, a former IACAW president and the emcee for Sunday’s event. “Kumar’s pitching abilities and his dedication to the sport is something that we find admirable and noteworthy. As the first Indian American student-athlete to be named the High School Baseball Player of the Year by the New York State Sportswriters Association, Kumar is a role model for all student-athletes, especially those in the Indian American community,” Pandya continued.
A stalwart at Mamaroneck High School, from where he graduated this year, Nambiar led the Tigers to the state title by going 10-0 with two saves and a 0.98 ERA. He struck out 97 batters in 80 innings as a senior, including a three-hitter in the state semifinals.
Despite his slight stature, Nambiar drew interest from Division I college coaches who raved about his ability to throw strikes with a variety of pitches, reported the Journal News. He eventually settled on Yale, where he’ll be able to attack his academics with the same passion that he brought to the baseball diamond.
Nambiar admitted the recent attention has been flattering, but says that nothing can top the feeling of bringing a state championship back to Mamaroneck.
“Baseball stardom is considered rare among Asian Indians. Nambiar might even be the first Indian-American named a state high school baseball Player of the Year anywhere in the U.S.,” Sid Mehta, volunteer broadcaster for Bedford Central School District TV, informed the Indo-Asian News Service.