Nathaniel

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

He loves everything about baseball, from hitting and fielding to pitching, but shortstop and pitcher are his favorite. He loves being in the middle of the action, knowing the outs, watching the runners, calling out plays, and thinking about what needs to happen next. Those positions keep him involved and thinking every pitch, which is exactly what he loves about the game.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

His dad and Coach Dave, inspire him because they believe in him without pretending every day will be easy. His dad teaches him to breathe, reset, and not let one bad play become the whole game. His coach challenges him, makes him laugh, and shows him how to get better. They're the voices he carries onto the field when things gey hard, reminding him that mistakes are part of the game and that he's capable of more than he thinks.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

My proudest moment was watching him earn a game ball and then give it to a teammate. There was no hesitation and no one told him to do it. He simply thought his teammate deserve it more. I remember standing there thinking that I couldn't have been more proud. He had just been recognized for how he played, but his first instinct was to recognize someone else. That moment told me more about the kind of athlete he is becoming that any stat ever could.