Ziegler honoring firefighters with youth field dedication

PHOENIX -- D-backs reliever Brad Ziegler continues to solidify his reputation as a standup guy on and off the field.

On Friday, the pitcher will participate in the dedication of the 34th field in the "Diamonds Back" Youth Field Building Program for youth league baseball players in Prescott, Ariz. The field is a tribute to 19 firefighters who lost their lives last year while battling a wildfire near the Northern Arizona town of Yarnell, a city located about 85 miles northwest of Phoenix. The firefighters killed were members of an elite fire suppression unit known as the Granite Mountain Hotshots, based in nearby Prescott.

"It's a way to give back to the community that has a lasting impact for multiple reasons," Ziegler said. "No. 1, it obviously gets kids excited about baseball and they get to play on a really nice field. But No. 2, it honors the memories of those fire fighters, and that's really special to have my name on the field and it's truly an honor to be associated with that. Those firefighters and their legacies is what we really want to honor with this."

On the mound, Ziegler entered Wednesday's series finale against the Nationals riding a 19-game scoreless streak. The reliever also had a 29-game scoreless streak from May 31-Aug. 12, 2008.

"Honestly, I couldn't have told you how long it was," Ziegler said. "I feel like I've been throwing the ball pretty well and guys are making plays behind me. The goal is to get wins. We've had a tough go of it to begin the year, and if there is a way to contribute, it doesn't matter what my line is as long as we win the game."