Physicians will be available after school on 4/30 to give physicals for all school athletes.  Cost is only $10 and will cover kids through the 2018-2019 season.  Please print and fill out the form and send with your player if possible.  The link to the form can be found here:  http://dunwoodyhs.dekalb.k12.ga.us/Downloads/2017-18%20Physical_Form_and_ConcussionForm2.pdf

 

Mark your calendars for April 11th!  The seniors and their families will be recognized on the field prior to the Centennial game.  Thanks to Kim Weatherly for coordinating this special evening for us.  We'll have the traditional "white bat" ceremony and the field will be painted with 9 baseballs to honor our special 9 seniors.  Another special thanks to Paige Hudgins for creating the following adorable "baby senior" collage.  Can you recognize Dylan, Paul, Greg, Josh, Isaiah, Shelby, Brian, Mick and Jack?

 

 

• A walk-off single propelled Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity to a decisive, dramatic victory over Allatoona, 6-5. The game was tied at five with Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity batting in the bottom of the eighth when Henry Gies singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run.
• Allatoona scored three runs in the first inning, but Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity still managed to pull out the victory. Greg Boland and Tyler Messick all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.
• Allatoona got on the board in the first inning. Boland drove in two when he singled.
• In the bottom of the seventh inning, Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity tied things up at five. David Julian doubled on a 1-1 count, scoring two runs.
• Isaiah Worley was credited with the victory for Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity. He allowed two hits and one run over two innings, striking out one and walking one. Jack Caiaccio and Ian Burnstine entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.
• Nathan Bourne took the loss for Allatoona. He went two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run on zero hits.
• Morgan Bell started the game for Allatoona. He surrendered three runs on five hits over four and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking one. Dylan Kovitch started the game for Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity. He lasted four innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out three.
• Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity tallied nine hits in the game. Julian, Gies, and Josh Hudgins all managed multiple hits for Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity. Hudgins, Gies, and Julian each collected two hits to lead Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity.
• Allatoona totaled eight hits in the game. Sam Wortham and Messick each collected multiple hits for Allatoona.

 

Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018) defeated Tucker 12-0 on Wednesday, as two pitchers teamed up to throw a no-hitter. Nick Gine struck out #26 to get the last out of the game.

In the first inning, Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018) got their offense started. Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018) scored one run when Tyler Eith singled.

Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018) notched four runs in the fourth inning. The offensive onslaught came from walks by Charlie Levy and Charlie Weatherly, a single by Dustin Gaultney, and a groundout by Austin Anderson.

Matt Beiger got the start for Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018). He lasted four innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out four and walking one.

Meridith led things off on the hill for Tucker. He surrendered eight runs on eight hits over one and two-thirds innings, walking one. Marquez Knight and KC Supples entered the game as relief, throwing one and two-thirds innings and two-thirds of an inning respectively.

Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018) tallied 11 hits on the day. Gaultney, Eith, Hudson Troxel, and Jax Warshaw all had multiple hits for Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018). Gaultney went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018) in hits. Dunwoody Wildcats JV (2018) tore up the base paths, as two players stole at least two bases. Eith led the way with three.

2/15/18  Today's 9th grade game Vs. Centennial (POSTPONED DUE TO FIELD CONDITIONS)

 

• Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 2-1 loss to Allatoona on Wednesday. Allatoona scored on a single by Payton Eeles and a single by David Smith in the first inning.
• The pitching was strong on both sides. Allatoona pitchers struck out seven, while Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity sat down six.
• Matt Martin got the win for Allatoona. He lasted one inning, allowing two hits and one run while walking zero. A number of pitchers entered the game as relief, with Evan O'Brien, Nathan Bourne, Kyle Reichert, and Hunter Paulson all securing outs and ultimately the victory. Reichert recorded the last three outs to earn the save for Allatoona.
• Mick Madden took the loss for Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity. He lasted two innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out two and walking zero.
• Jack Hardin, Sean O'Grady, and David Julian each managed one hit to lead Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity. Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Henry Gies made the most plays with seven.
• Allatoona totaled eight hits in the game. Eeles and Tyler Messick each racked up multiple hits for Allatoona. Eeles went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Allatoona in hits. Allatoona didn't commit a single error in the field. Greg Boland had 11 chances in the field, the most on the team.

1. Today's Varsity game at Allatoona has been moved to tomorrow. 
2. Today's JV game vs Johns Creek has been moved to 3/10
3. All teams will hit in the cages after school today (2/13)

Sign Up Genius Link:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4ba4ae23a02-2018

• Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 5-3 loss to Norcross on Monday. Norcross scored on a double by Gabe Grosswald, a single by Juan Guerrero, and an error in the second inning.
• In the second inning, Norcross got their offense started when Grosswald doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.
• Cooper Stinson took the win for Norcross. He went four innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out six and walking one. #5 threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen. #5 recorded the last nine outs to earn the save for Norcross.
• Dylan Kovitch took the loss for Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity. He went two and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on five hits and striking out three.
• Brian Boatright, Sean O'Grady, Thomas Harrison, and Joe Carter each managed one hit to lead Dunwoody Wildcats Varsity.
• Norcross collected seven hits on the day. Grosswald, Ali Lapread, and Guerrero all managed multiple hits for Norcross. Grosswald went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Norcross in hits.

Team Snap Every parent and player is required to have a Team Snap account for this season.  Important game and practice updates will be conveyed to parents and players via Team Snap.   Varsity has already received important updates regarding tomorrow's game.  Freshmen have received important details regarding carpool for Monday's game vs Holy Innocents'.    Check Team Snap for details please.     Pants ordered with Spirit Wear The Spirit Wear orders will be fulfilled in stages.  The pants have arrived!  Debbie Arant will have pants for all who ordered available outside the gym on Monday afternoon.   Even if games/practice are cancelled, all players who ordered pants should find Debbie Arant outside the gym between 2:30 and 3:30 to pick up their pants.   She'll be there early since Freshmen and Varsity have games scheduled tomorrow.     Varsity Monday Game Every Varsity Parent and Player who subscribes to Team Snap should know already that Monday's game vs Norcross may be moved to Lake Point.  We will let you know ASAP if Coach English is able to get buses.   If you do NOT have Team Snap enabled with SMS, Email or in App notifications please do so NOW because all game and practice updates for the rest of the season will be via Team Snap.     Concession Player Accounts From now until the end of the season you will get an email from Jim or Carol McCloskey once a week with an attached spreadsheet listing your baseball player's amount in their concession account.  It will show how much they spent that week and if more money needs to be added to the account due to a negative balance.     For the four families with multiple boys playing, we have combined the balances.  If you prefer to keep those separate, no problem, just let us know as soon as possible.   The player numbers are just noted to help the concession staff.  Please let me know if any number is wrong.  Also we will add Freshman numbers once provided.  (Note - if a player is called up to another team, the jersey number that he wears on that team may not be his regular number listed on the sheets.)   Please do these things for us:     1.  Take a peek before we get going with the first home game this week and make sure that the balance is what you expect.  If your baseball player played baseball last spring, and had a balance in his account, that balance was carried over.     2.  Look at your balances each week.  Sometimes mistakes are made, but we can't go back at the end of the season to fix a disputed amount.  It's up to all of us to check them each week.     3.  If you wish to add more money to your baseball player's account, please take the money directly to the concession stand.  (Checks are acceptable - Dunwoody Diamond Club).  Please make sure you see the concession stand attendant mark the deposited amount on the concession sheet before you leave.     4.  Please stay on top of any negative balance.  The concession accounts are designed to make it easy for the players and families to grab a bite without worrying about carrying wallets or cash to the field.  However, they are not to be used as a credit card!     Finally, for those of you who are new to DHS Baseball, welcome!  I have provided the rules for the concession accounts below but they are also listed with the clipboard in the concession stand.   Thanks and GO WILDCATS! Carol (and Jim) McCloskey click here for beginning balances     DHS Baseball Concession Account Rules Every game starts with a new sheet. Fill in the Date. If the player adds money to their account it should be recorded in the column. If the player makes a purchase write the amount of the items in the field. If the player pays cash, you don’t need to log anything.  At the end of the night, tally the new balances. (See Calculator on clipboard) and transfer the balances to a new sheet into the “current balance column”. Keep the old sheet stored inside the clipboard. The sheets will be collected once a week, calculations will be double checked and electronically entered into the new spreadsheet. Every Sunday players will receive an updated spreadsheet that will provide their new balance via email. Only players with a positive balance may charge items to their account.  If no money is available in the account, the player must pay cash for any purchases. Leave all completed forms in the clipboard for the team account volunteer to collect. Please write neatly!     Urgent Concession Duty Info There are currently 16 shifts left. We've extended the deadline to 6 PM on Monday night.   At 6 Pm we will assign slots for those who have not volunteered for their required 2 shifts.  If people can't make assigned times they may opt to pay a teen worker ( as long as it is not a griller postion).   Click here for Sign Up Genius along with further instructions.     Ron Burnstine Lost his Jacket RB left his North Face jacket at the field after our workday.   Someone put in the concession stand but now it is missing.  If you happened to pick up a North Face jacket please contact Ron Burnstine at 678-614-8469.

Dues:

The costs of maintaining a first-class baseball program are substantial and continue to escalate. Many baseball program dues have been significantly higher than Dunwoody’s for several years, and ours is still one of the lowest in our region. The volunteer efforts by parents throughout the year are essential to the Diamond Club’s fundraising initiatives. Your efforts and contributions are very much appreciated, and those efforts enable the Diamond Club to keep spring player dues as low as possible. Spring player dues make up less than a quarter of the total revenue of the Diamond Club. To ease the cost of dues, each player in the baseball program can re-sale their Wildcat Cards. 

 

Spring Program Dues cover players pack items, pre-game meals, and the end-of-season banquet.

 

Player Pack:

Included with each player's dues will be the following items in the “Player Pack”.  Coach English sized all the players and will be ordering these items ASAP.  

 

• New Balance Cleat
• New Balance Short Sleeve Tee
• New Balance Long Sleeve Tee
• New Balance Tech Short
• The Game Fitted Baseball Hat
• New Balance Long Sleeve Batting Jacket (Varsity Only)

 

Pre-game Meals:

 

As part of your dues, we provide players with a meal before every weekday game. Pre-game meals are not provided for Saturday games. Parent volunteers will be asked to coordinate delivery of game day meals for the players. A typical meal consists of a sandwich, chips, fruit or cookie and drink.

 

End-of-Season Awards Banquet:

 

Dues also include the cost of the banquet for each player, awards and recognition. The estimated cost for parents and others to attend the banquet is $25 each. The date for the banquet will be announced at the end of the season. The banquet will be at DHS, it will be catered in the cafeteria, and the award ceremony will be in the auditorium.

 

Pre-Pay Concession:

 

We will continue to offer the debit system for players.  Players utilizing the debit system must pre-pay into their “Concession Stand Account”. For example, a player may start the season by pre-paying $25. The concession volunteer will debit the account each time the player makes a purchase. The account may be replenished throughout the season.  Charges are not allowed once the account reaches $0. The account will have to be replenished before more debits can be made. Seniors who have money remaining on their account at the end of the season will receive a refund. All other players with money remaining on accounts will be carried over to the next season.
 

Wildcat Cards:

• We lost/took off 5 sponsors:  d’Vine, CiCi’s, Burger King, Outback & Grecian Gyro.

•  We gained 5 new sponsors:  Goldberg Bagels, Farm Burger, Empire Pizza, Press Blend Squeeze & Face Haven
• We have 3-5 card hand outs:  Crema, Orange Theory, Press Blend Squeeze, Face Haven and some left overs from last year.

 Reach out to your past purchasers, friends and neighbors.  NO POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA YET, PLEASE.  WE WANT ALL KIDS TO HAVE A FAIR CHANCE TO SELL THEIR FIRST 25 BEFORE WE ALLOW SOCIAL MEDIA SALES.  ONCE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYERS HAVE HAD A WEEK TO SELL WE'LL ALLOW SOCIAL MEDIA.

Included in your dues is the price of 25 cards for $20 each ($500).  Once the original 25 are sold, players may purchase more cards from the Diamond Club for $10 each and sell them for $20 (not a penny more). Therefore players/parents can earn $10 per card sold above their original 25.  This is a TERRIFIC way to offset the price of dues.  The cards are very popular and well worth $20.
 

Tournaments for Varsity Players:

2018

• Early Season Tourney: three-day trip to Brunswick, GA.
• Spring Break Week: players will have until Wednesday off, East Cobb Tournament Thursday-Saturday.

2019 (anticipated):

• Four games of the Varsity schedule will be played in South Florida during Spring Break against highly ranked 6-A Florida teams.

Varsity players must pay an additional “trip fee” to partially offset the cost of the trips. Note the fee does NOT include meals, drinks, entertainment, or miscellaneous items. Each player will be expected to have sufficient funds with them on the trip. Details on trip arrangements will be provided in advance.

 

 

 

Breakdown of Payment + WC Card Money Back:

 

	Varsity	JV/Freshmen
Spring Dues  (includes 25 WC Cards)	$950	$950
Varsity Presidents Day Trip & Tourney 2018 (Some years Spring Break Trip ~$550.00)	$125
Pre-pay Concessions (voluntary but $25 is recommended)	$25	$25
Total Paid to DDC	$1100	$975
Amount you can recoup via WC Cards	-$500	-$500
Total Cost if all WC Cards are sold	$600	$475

 

 

Payment:

Dues for the Spring Season are to be paid at registration during the Dunwoody Wildcats Baseball Kick- Off Meeting. Checks should be payable to the Dunwoody Diamond Club or DDC or via Venmo to @DunwoodyDC.  Varsity Spring Break Trip fee can be paid up front but is due mid-February.

 

Outstanding Balances:

Any outstanding balance from a previous season will be reflected on your invoice and must be paid at the Kick- off Meeting. Example: Skipping a concession duty and an “Approved Teen Worker” was paid in your absence, etc.
 

Ways to Reduce Dues:

1. You may request additional wildcat cards at a reduced purchase price of $10 and resale for $20.
2. You may sell additional team sponsorships (banners or signage) and receive 10% of the sponsorship applied to player dues up to the total amount of dues. See Bill Gavlak for details.
3. Many parents in the past have used their employers “giving programs” that match funds.

 

Uniforms:

DeKalb County will provide each player on each team with a jersey and a few helmets for each team to share.  If your son wants his own helmet he can order via our TEAM STORE.  Baseball pants are not provided by the county and are NOT in the Player Pack.  This year all players will be responsible for providing their own pants.   You can purchase from wherever you like but they will also be available in our team store.  All three teams need white pants with navy piping (long or knickers, your choice).   Additionally, Varsity players need grey pants with navy piping (long or knickers, your choice).

 

Team Store:

Following is the link that will allow you to order spirit wear for the season, duplicate items from the player pack, plus a few "extra gear" items like stirrup socks, batting helmets, batting gloves, knickers (short baseball pants), regular baseball pants, etc.  (None of these items are required but a portion of every order from the online store will be donated back to our program as a fundraiser).  Team store link:  https://dunwoodybaseballstore.itemorder.com/sale

 

Volunteering:

There are many opportunities to volunteer: ALL families 9th-12th grade will share Concession Duty and Field Workdays as a part of the commitment to the Dunwoody Baseball Program.  We also have the following volunteer spots open.  Please see or email Audra Anders dhswildcatbaseball@gmail.com

 

• Capital Funds Campaign
• Sponsors Spirit Night
• "Email Fundraiser" (GoFundMe or Another Capital Campaign)
• Pregame Meals - JV
• Pregame Meal Freshman
• Car Pool - Freshman
• Photography - Varsity Team
• Photography - 9th Team
• Concessions - 9th
• Community Awareness
• Post Season Banquet (need a freshman parent)
• Senior Night Program

 

 

 

Season Tickets:
 

Get from Jeff Gies
 

Communications:

Team Snap: 

At the request of several parents, the Board has agreed to trial the use of Team Snap for our 2018 Season.  Once teams are finalized, each player will be added to a Team Snap Roster.  If your son plays on JV sometimes and Varsity sometimes we have a solution for that...same for players who will play on both 9th and JV etc.  

Email/Mailchimp:

If you have not received any emails from dhswildcatbaseball@gmail.com then you need to immediately send Audra Anders an email to that address and provide your name and your players name.   Please check your spam folder for emails from this address because in addition to Team Snap we will need to email you from time to time.  Plus, we need your correct email address to set up Team Snap.

Facebook:

Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dunwoodywildcatsbaseball/)

Twitter:

Follow us on Twitter (@Dwoodbaseball)

 

The Dunwoody Diamond Club Board:

• Jeff Gies, President
• Chan English, Varsity Head Coach
• Mike Nash, JV Head Coach
• Bill Caiaccio, VP Varsity
• Todd Beiger, Treasurer
• Bill Gavlak, VP Fundraising
• Audra Anders, Secretary
• To Be Elected, VP JV/Freshmen

 

 

Varsity	JV	9th
Boatwright, Brian	Anderson, Austin	Anderson, Ethan
Burnstine, Ian	Anders, Walt	Bakke, Parker
Caiaccio, Jack	Arant, Charlie	Bennett, Jake
Carter, Joe	Bakke, Wilson	Byrd, Brad
Edwards, Shelby	Beiger, Matt	Cartwright, Ben
Forth, Will	Davis, Chris	Cucchi, Robbie
Gavlak, Alex	Eith, Tyler	Day, Matthew
Gies, Henry	Gaultney, Dustin	Edler, Scott
Gies, Paul	Gine, Nick	Kuriger, Grey
Hardin, Jack	Green, Gregory	LeDoyen, Davis
Hardin, Robby	Levy, Charlie	Matulich, Carter
Harrison, Thomas	Lips, Howie
Hudgins, Josh	McCloskey, Joseph
Julian, David	Pinkston, Trenton
Kovitch, Dylan	Sharpe, Chris
Lavin, Will	Troxel, Hudson
Madden, Mick	Vera, Jose
Martin, Greg	Warshaw, Jax
O’Grady, Sean
Worley, Isaiah

Spirit Wear/Player Packs - Deadline to order from the new TEAM STORE is midnight on 1/22.

Our TEAM STORE is OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS!  Please read this section carefully so you understand clearly what you can and should order.

• Uniforms - DeKalb County will provide each player on each team with a jersey and a few helmets for each team to share.  If your son wants his own helmet he can order via our TEAM STORE.
   
• Player Packs - Included with each player's dues will be the following items.  Coach English sized all the players and will be ordering these items as soon as tryouts are over.  DO NOT ORDER THESE ITEMS UNLESS YOUR SON WANTS EXTRA OR YOUR NON VARSITY PLAYER WANTS A BATTING JACKET.
   
  • New Balance Cleat
  • New Balance Short Sleeve Tee
  • New Balance Long Sleeve Tee
  • New Balance Tech Short
  • The Game Fitted Baseball Hat
  • New Balance Long Sleeve Batting Jacket (Varsity Only)
     
• Pants - Baseball pants are not provided by the county and are NOT in the Player Pack.  This year all players will be responsible for providing their own pants.   You can purchase from wherever you like but they will also be available in our team store.  All three teams need white pants with navy piping (long or knickers, your choice).   Additionally, Varsity players need grey pants with navy piping (long or knickers, your choice).
   

Spiritwear and Extra Gear - Following is the link that will allow you to order spirit wear for the season, duplicate items from the player pack,  plus a few "extra gear" items like stirrup socks, batting helmets, batting gloves, knickers (short baseball pants), regular baseball pants, etc.  (None of these items are required but a portion of every order from the online store will be donated back to our program as a fundraiser).  Team store link:  https://dunwoodybaseballstore.itemorder.com/sale

Questions?  Send an email to dhswildcatbaseball@gmail.com

Our 2018 Wildcat Cards are better than ever and cost the same as last year.....only $20!   

Baseball tryouts begin 1/15 and the Wildcat Cards will be distributed to the baseball players during their 1/20 kick-off meeting. 

Reach out to your favorite Dunwoody Baseball player to make sure he offers you a card to purchase!

Thanks for supporting Dunwoody Baseball!

Below is a proof of the final card so you can see all of the amazing locations and discounts available:

With great excitement and pride, the staff of 6-4-3 DP Baseball announces that Paul Gies (Class of 2018), has committed to play college baseball at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee.  The entire 6-4-3 staff congratulates Paul on his achievement and wishes him the very best on his continued journey as a standout student-athlete. 

http://www.643dp.net/teams/releases/2017/Gies_commits

 

If a player does not have a physical uploaded on Privit.com they will not be able to participate in tryouts. Please see the below instructions for Privit. If you have any questions please let Coach English know via email:  William_english@dekalbschoolsga.org

 Privit Instructions

• Click the following link:  https://dunwoodywildcats-ga.e-ppe.com/index.jspa
• Click Register then create an account
• Follow steps for each section and electronically sign where needed
•  Once you have created your "parent" profile click to add a new family member to add your student athlete and be sure to complete all of the sections
  • Personal Details
  • Pre-Participation History Form
  • GHSA Concussion Form
  • Joined Teams
  • Click "manage documents" then upload your student athlete's signed physical
    • Scan and upload current physical (Physicals only valid for one calendar year) Unless it was completed after April 1 2017, then it is good for the entire school year.

All kids interested in trying out for the 2018 Dunwoody High Baseball Teams will meet on Tuesday Jan 9 and Wednesday Jan 10 after school at 3:30 in the gym lobby for 1 hour. Please bring tennis shoes. We will check for physicals and go over tryout information as well as conditioning.

Official tryouts will begin on Monday January 15. This is a school holiday so we will have tryouts during the day. 

• 10,11,12 Grades will report to the field at 11:00 and will end at 2:00.

• Freshmen will report at 2:30 and end at 4:30.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (January 16-18), practice will be 3:45-6:45 Subject to change based on weather.

Please note:

1. Players need to have a current physical uploaded onto privit or they will not be allowed to tryout.
2. Tryouts will last from Monday until Thursday. We will make cuts each day.
3. Players need to be in full baseball gear everyday
4. The tryout process will be similar to a regular practice and each player will be evaluated by all coaches. We will make decisions based on ability, ability to be coached, attitude, and effort just to name a few. 

Mark your calendars for the team kickoff meeting on January 20th.  (10 AM  in the Media Center)

Any questions?  Please contact Coach English directly at William_English@dekalbschoolsga.org

http://643dp.net/teams/releases/2017/Hudgins_commits

Marietta, Georgia -

With great excitement and pride, the staff of 6-4-3 DP Baseball announces that Josh Hudgins (Class of 2018), has committed to play college baseball at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia.  The entire 6-4-3 staff congratulates Josh on his achievement and wishes him the very best on his continued journey as a standout student-athlete.  Josh is the most recent in a long line of talented, 6-4-3 players to join the GCSU baseball program.

http://643dpathletics.com/teams/18U/cougars/2017-18/releases/Madden_commits

Oct. 18, 2017

Johnathan Langley
Georgia Tech baseball
“Our Stories" is a RamblinWreck.com feature that provides first-person stories from current Georgia Tech student-athletes on their journey through academics, competition and life once their athletic careers are over. These young men and women represent the ideals of what it means to be a STUDENT-athlete at Georgia Tech. These are their stories.

Johnathan Langley: Learning The Value In Serving Others

As a young kid growing up in Atlanta, my dream was to be a Georgia Tech baseball player. While I never found a spot on the official roster, the lessons I’ve learned from my position on the team have been invaluable.

My freshman year at Georgia Tech, I walked into head coach Danny Hall’s office and asked how I could walk on to the baseball team. There was no doubt in my mind I wanted to continue playing baseball for as long as I could. I started when I was four years old and began catching when I was eight. What really drew me to the catcher position was getting to be a quarterback of the field, directing players and telling them where they need to be positioned. I stuck with catcher throughout little league and travel ball, and when Coach Hall and assistant coach Jason Howell told me where I’d fit best on the team, it was as the team’s catcher…for the bullpen.

I’ll admit being the bullpen catcher wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I went to try out for the team. I’d never be listed on the roster and never have my chance to take an at-bat in a Georgia Tech uniform. I had to transition from batting fourth in high school to assisting pitchers through warm-ups. At the time, I thought, it wasn’t ideal. But as a senior, I’ve put the incredible opportunity I’ve been given into perspective. Being a member of the Georgia Tech baseball team has allowed me to grow on a personal level and on a spiritual level, and the impact I’ve made on this campus has stretched far beyond the confines of the bullpen.

In high school, I was recruited by some smaller schools, but earning a strong education was a primary goal for me, and thus, Georgia Tech was always at the top of my list. Since becoming a student-athlete I’ve gotten involved in organizations like the Student-Athlete Advisory Board, as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and 925. Both FCA with campus director Keith Brown and 925, a bible study lead by our player development coach Steve Tamborra, have been crucial in helping me grow in my faith, live out my faith in God and act on it daily, which has helped me tremendously during my time at Georgia Tech.

I don’t know exactly where my future will lead me after I graduate from Georgia Tech, but I know that because of my experience on the baseball team, including the leadership roles I’ve taken on as a student-athlete, I’ve realized that I want to do something where I’m helping others. From playing a supporting role on the team to traveling to Costa Rica this past summer—my first time out of the country—as part of the Jackets Without Borders program, I’ve learned the immense value in serving others. I don’t need to hit the walk-off home run to put a smile on someone’s face. It’s the small moments, the advice I give to a struggling pitcher or an upcoming freshman, and the bonds I make with my teammates and other student-athletes that truly mean the most.

If I had it my way, the end of this baseball season won’t mark my last time as a part of a baseball organization. I’d like to get into coaching, something I, in some ways, have been doing for four years as I’ve worked with the pitching coach to set the Georgia Tech pitchers up for a successful outing on the mound. Perhaps I’ll continue catching as a bullpen catcher for a professional team. Either way, I’ve begun to embrace the role of serving others without needing to be in the spotlight. In turn, I’ve realized that I get just as much out of helping people as they do.

From the campus organizations I’ve been able to be a part of to the trips I’ve taken to the long-lasting relationships I’ve built, I can be nothing but grateful that I stepped into Coach Hall’s office freshman year asking for a spot on the team. Baseball has provided me with much more than a catcher’s mitt, and if I can find a way to keep doing what I love, I won’t be straying too far from the bullpen anytime soon.