The tall, skinny left handed pitcher that used to stand on the mound has since gained some weight and now spends his days in front of a classroom teaching. The curly purmed hair that used to hide under his hat has gone forever but you couldn’t tell unless you got lucky and caught him with his hat off. He has traded in his cleats, glove, and bat for a bag full of clubs, balls, and tees. This important person in my life is my dad.

My dad grew up in a very competitive family of 8. He went to Grandville High School where he was a three sport athlete. Of those three, baseball was his best; he was even voted to the all-state team and was awarded a scholarship to play at Michigan State University.

At Michigan State he was a starting pitcher and a designated hitter. In his junior season he was selected 2nd team all big ten as a designated hitter. Following his senior season he was drafted by the Texas Rangers organization as a pitcher.

In the Ranger’s organization he played A and AA for the Birmingham Rangers and the Tulsa Drillers. About 5 years after he got drafted was when he decided to let go of his dream to start a family with my mom. I was born on January 29, 1991.

Although his life today is not quite as fast paced and exciting as it used to be, I think he has come to like his new laid back life style as much, if not more than the old one. And although he doesn’t play the game anymore he is still a big part of it by helping my brother Alex and I to fulfill are dreams of playing at the next level.

Next year will be my first year at a new school and I will be playing the game I was raised to love. I owe a lot of my success to the motivation and extra help from my very important person, my dad.