Tag Archives: Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association

Storied South Bend Clay baseball program nearing the end of the line

May 10, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

A scholastic era is nearing an end.

South Bend Community Schools’ last day for students is to be May 31 and with it will be the last-ever classroom day for Clay High School, which the school board voted in April 2023 to close at the end of 2023-24. The school was established in 1939.

The curtain is also coming down on the storied history of Colonials baseball, the one with more than 1,000 all-time wins, 12 sectional titles, four regional crowns, one semistate trophy and one state championship.

Clay, where Al Hartman in athletic director, has a handful of regular-season games remaining with the Jim Reinebold Classic May 18 leading into the IHSAA Class 3A sectional at Mishawaka Marian. The Colonials drew the host Knights in the first game on May 22.

Clay was to be host, but because of the situation the sectional was moved to Marian though Clay is to host regional games on June 1.

Joel Reinebold, the fourth of Hall of Famer Jim and wife Evelyn Reinebold’s five children, played for his father, coached with him and witnessed the Colonials moving from Clay Park to what became Jim Reinebold Field. The baseball sleeve that hangs on the fence during games dates back to that era.

Joel has been Clay’s head coach since 2014.

“It’ll be hard to take that uniform off for the last time whenever that is,” says Reinebold, a 1979 Clay graduate. “I grew up in that program. I spent so many hours in the stands and the dugout.

“I was there for the good games and the tough losses. There’s a lot of emotional attachment.”

That there would be a 2024 season at all was an uncertainty. The Colonials eventually did take the field for a limited schedule. At this writing, the team is 3-3.

“We had no business trying to compete in the (Northern Indiana Conference,” says Reinebold. “Three of our guys have played very little baseball before.

“We’re trying to save the dignity of the program and gain the confidence of the kids.”

Day-to-day, Clay has been coached by Reinebold and Tony Cruz. Dan Kasper and Nate Meadimber have also helped at times with a group that has peaked at 14 — seniors Jeremy Cleveland, Noah Fernandez and Tommy Sconiers, juniors Dominic Damp, Nolan Dool, Jose Duque, Tyler Gibson, Misael Gonzalez, Cole Hunt, Carson Meadimber, Yazael Sarmiento and Liam Wolf and freshmen Jean Barnes and Noah Camarillo. “There’s not a lot of kids playing in a lot of programs,” says Reinebold. “It hits you and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

The coach says some of his non-seniors are planning to attend John Adams or Riley next year and a couple are moving out of town.

“It’s very hard to play under those conditions and coach under those conditions,” says Reinebold.

The field has been home in recent summers to travel ball tournaments and the South Bend American Legion Post 151 and the plan is for that Cruz-led team to play there again this year.

What happens after that is not yet known.

“I’ll maintain it like I always do until I hear otherwise,” says Reinebold. “It’s certainly too nice of a field to go to waste.”

For 25 years, Reinebold was the head groundskeeper at what is now Four Winds Field in South Bend. He has built or renovated at least 30 diamonds from scratch and has helped with countless others.

Reinebold, who turns 64 in August, is sorting out his own future.

“I know I still want to coach,” says Reinebold, who recently began a day job with Holladay Properties in South Bend. “I’ve had some offers, but I haven’t decided on anything yet.

“I know I still enjoy practice. I probably enjoy practice as much as the game. I enjoy being around the kids. The kids I have this year are super. They give everything they’ve got.”

Before coming back to Clay, Reinebold was head coach at Bremen High School for two seasons and six at Adams. He would prefer to be a head coach at his next stop.

Jamaica is a place Reinebold has visited multiple times and some of those has been with non-profit organization Rounding Third, donating baseball equipment and teaching the game to youngsters on “The Rock.” He’s even gone to Curacao.

He is planning a return to Jamaica in November for a vacation/baseball visit.

“I’ve got all kinds of baseballs and gloves to go down there,” says Reinebold. “I can’t take helmets and bats.”

In most years for the last 30, the Jim Reinebold Fall Baseball Camp and Instructional League has been a staple in South Bend.

“Right now camp is up in the air,” says Reinebold. “We canceled it last year because I had heart issues. I was thinking about tinkering with it and changing it up a little bit.”

Jim Reinebold, who helped found the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association and coached many years in professional baseball with the South Bend White Sox/Silver Hawks after leaving the Purple & Gold at the end of the 1988 season, started the camp with some top-notch coaches to do the instruction.

Many of those coaches have retired or moved on. The challenge is to find young coaches who will give of their time and talent.

Clay High School (enrollment around 550), which is the Fine Arts school in the SBCSC magnet program, is on Darden Road on the north side of South Bend. Jim Reinebold Field is a few blocks away on Lily Road.

South Bend Clay gets 1,000th win in baseball program history.

South Bend Clay High School’s 2021 baseball team.

South Bend Clay High School’s 2022 baseball team.

College, High School, Training, Youth

Former Carroll, Cincinnati standout Glass giving back through GSP Hitting

May 8, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Justin Glass grew up in Fort Wayne, Ind., serious about baseball.

With few local resources, he found himself traveling to central Indiana for instruction.

Glass was an all-state lefty swinger and righty thrower who helped Carroll High School to an IHSAA Class 4A state championship in 2010 then enjoyed a successful run at the University of Cincinnati (2011-14).

When college was done, he had little to do with the game.

While living in Westfield, Ind., and working as director of sales for the Indianapolis Colts, he found people asking him to share his expertise. He began giving lessons and Glass Sports Performance was begun in September 2020 with the help of Crossfit Westfield.

Justin and wife Andrea (Newbauer) Glass, who helped Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne win its first state girls basketball title in 2010 then played at Indiana University, moved back to Fort Wayne in November 2023.

While working full-time in medical sales, Justin continued to pursue his passion at a GSP Hitting building at 5520 Distribution Drive, near where I-69 and S.R. 3/U.S. 27 meet.

“It’s not in a big facility but we’re making some waves,” says Glass.

He sees 40-plus baseball and softball hitters a week. About half that number get remote training and travel to Fort Wayne a few times a month.

“I want to give back to the community and that next generation of players,” says Glass, 32.

Not only is athletic knowledge imparted, two annual GSP fundraisers are apparel sales that raise money to buy toys for patients at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and Christmas gifts for less-fortunate local kids.

On the hitting side, Glass is selective about whom he trains. They are usually at least in the eighth grade and they have to have college baseball or softball as their goal.

“The talent level of our players is very high,” says Glass. “There are nine kids that we’ve helped in some form or fashion to get into college.

“Our mission is to help the next generation of players reaching their goals. We work with players not only on the physical side of hitting but more importantly the mental side. We pride ourselves on making decisions based upon what is best for each player.”

Glass talks with hitters about the mental side as well as their approach in the batter’s box.

“If you have a bad round in the cage how do you mentally come back?,” says Glass. “One miss-hit can role into the next swing and the next swing. It snow-balls.

“We have them step out, take a deep breath and using the tools to re-set your mind.”

Glass does not look to batting average to as the ultimate gauge of success. Quality At-Bats is more important.

Hit-by-pitch, walk, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, six-plus at-bat and hard-hit balls all go into QAB.

What about approach?

“In high school and college, it’s very situational,” says Glass. “We work a lot with our hitters on what pitches are we looking for on 0-0 counts? Or a green-light count? Or a red-light count?”

The pitching machine is delivering fastballs, breaking balls and change-ups and hitters are identifying those and putting their bodies into position to do damage.

“We compete a lot in the cage so when they get int he (batter’s) box it’s almost we’ve already gone through the gauntlet,” says Glass. “I feel a little more comfortable and confident coming into the game.”

Glass says a hitters’ talent might draw a coach to see him or her play, but do they also want to see the right approach.

“Are they running things out?,” says Glass. “Are they having Quality At-Bats? Are they competition in the box? Or did the kid get out and threw his helmet and the world’s going to end?

“Quality At-Bats builds a lot of confidence in hitters.”

Glass emphasize the process for long-term success versus the short-term flash-in-the-pan result.

GSP in built upon the concepts of honesty, accountability and relationships.

“We hold kids accountable,” says Glass. “There’s a certain standard and we expect kids to adhere to that standard every single time.

“If the kid is not working outside of lessons we can tell. We put a lot of energy and passion into each lesson. We have to make sure we’re getting it back on the other end. Maybe we’re not the best fit for them?”

He lets them know about work ethic it takes to play college ball and creates relationships with players and their parents, helping them through the recruiting process and reaching out to college coaches on their behalf.

He points them toward the people that can help them improve their strength, speed and nutrition.

While Justin does much of the training, he is helped my father and former college player Brad Glass and former Fort Wayne Dwenger High School, Glen Oaks Community College and Purdue Fort Wayne player and current Indiana Tech assistant coach Sean Herberger.

As part of his travel ball experience, Glass was with the 17U Indiana Bulls coached by Quinn Moore and Dan Held. He maintains a relationship with both.

At Carroll, Glass played for Dave Ginder, who is now in the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association and Northeast Indiana Baseball Association halls of fame.

“Discipline, doing the little things correct whether it’s cleaning up the field or making sure our cleats were all cleaned up to things like baserunning and dirt-ball reads, getting proper lead-offs, cuts and relays, bunting and things like that, Dave did a really, really good job of teaching us,” says Glass. “That prepared me to have success at the (NCAA) Division I level.”

Glass encountered two head coaches at Cincinnati — Brian Cleary for the first three seasons and Ty Neal for the last one.

“Ty Neal was very similar to Ginder,” says Glass of the current Carmel (Ind.) High School head coach. “It was a very blue-collar work ethic, roll your sleeves up and hard-working environment. I actually liked that a lot.

“We were very much holding each other accountable and trying to do the little things correctly. I learned a lot of those things from him.”

All 222 of Glass’ games with the Bearcats were starts. He hit .327 (287-of-877) with 17 home runs, three triples, 56 doubles, 141 runs batted in, 155 runs scored and 45 stolen bases.

He battled through a torn shoulder labrum as a freshman and still made the Big East/Big Ten Challenge all-tournament team and was named Joe Nuxhall Classic MVP, second-team all-Big East and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team before surgery.

Glass earned first-team all-Big East and second-team ABCA/Rawlings Mideast Region honors in 2012.

Coaches and fellow players made him team captain for 2013.

How did he lead?

“It was my work ethic and showing how hard we work in the weight room and taking practice very seriously,” says Glass. “Also, finding the right mix of people who could help us out.”

In 2014, Glass was chosen third-team all-American Athletic Conference.

One of his Cincinnati teammates in 2013 and 2014 was future Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ.

“He’s probably the smartest baseball player I ever played against or with,” says Glass of Happ. “There were a couple of situations when he was a freshman and I was a junior and I’d go, ‘how come you’re picking up on that and I’m not picking up on that yet?’

“I was blown away by his knowledge of the game. And — knock on wood — he’s been able to stay healthy his entire career.”

Some of the players Glass competed against in college include the University of Connecticut’s George Springer (now a Toronto Blue Jays outfielder), Matt Barnes (Washington Nationals pitcher) and Nick Ahmed (San Francisco Giants shortstop) and Indiana University’s Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter).

Sean Herberger (left), Matt Drozlek, Ian Wilson, Gavin Joy, Johnnie Ankenbruck, Bo Cooper, Drew Law and Justin Glass at GSP Hitting.

Delivering toys to Riley Hospital for Children for Glass Sports Performance are Lincoln Hoffman, Justin Glass and Cara Snedeker.

Justin Glass, Hailey Hayes and Andrea Glass.

College, High School, Instruction, Pro, Training, Youth

Jaksich helping pitchers reach their goals with PRP Baseball

May 7, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

A daily improvement mindset.

That’s what Luke Jaksich wants to see from the players who train with PRP Baseball at Mojo Up Sports Complex in Noblesville, Ind.

“Our goal is to make sure that each day they’re progressing whether it’s mechanical or mindset,” says Jaksich, a former collegiate pitcher who is now helping others. “It’s not just looking at the end goal, it’s looking to the daily goal. What are you focusing on that day to get better?

“The guys that come in consistently get the best results.”

Jaksich, who graduated from Andrean High School in Merrillville, Ind., in 2016 and Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., in 2021, was hired nearly three years ago as a performance coach and is now Assistant Director of Pitching.

Munster (Ind.) High School graduate Anthony Gomez, who is a bullpen coach for the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, is PRP’s Director of Pitching. Carmel (Ind.) High School alum Greg Vogt, who is rehab pitching coach for the Blue Jays organization, is PRP’s Founder/Director.

Jaksich, 26, and the staff work with 8-year-olds and big leaguers, including Cleveland Guardians left-hander Timmy Herrin and Miami Marlins right-hander Bryan Hoeing. There were upwards of 20 professional pitchers at PRP this winter. The place operates seven days a week November until early March with in-person and remote clients.

During the peak times, many weeks culminate with bullpens and pitchers going live against batters.

“Friday Compete Day is fun,” says Jaksich. “Those are always a good time.”

It’s slower now, but it will pick back up again at the end of May as college and high school seasons wind down.

“We’re attacking the little things with those older guys,” says Jaksich. “They might have one thing that needs to click from everything to get better.”

Jaksich notes that high schoolers and younger are still in the development stage.

“We do a couple of things at a time and make sure we’re really in-depth with what we’re working on,” says Jaksich. “We make sure they’re staying consistent with their work.

“Attention to detail is big. That is the biggest separator. Pro guys come in and get all their work done. High schoolers forget. We have to keep reminding them.”

Among those on the PRP staff working with pitchers besides Jaksich, Gomez and Vogt are Joey Romence, Nick Slone, Seth Story and Max McKee.

To ensure quality time with athletes, no more than about 25 come in during a block of time and they are helped by five or six coaches. Jacob Douglass leads the PRP hitting department.

“We have to balance it out to make sure we are very attentive on the floor when we’re coaching,” says Jaksich. “We try to find the factors that are going to benefit them. It’s not going to be the same thing for each guy. There’s no one way to do it. If there was, it would be a lot easier.

“As coaches, we have to keep gaining knowledge.”

Communication is key.

“The more an athlete can communicate with us about certain things they’re doing it’s more beneficial for them,” says Jaksich. “That proves that they’re learning and trying to get the best out of everything instead of them looking for answers from us. We want to get answers from them.”

“We talk with each person each day. We create that relationship where they can trust us for their development.”

Jaksich was born on the south side of Chicago and lived there until the eighth grade then moved to northwest Indiana.

He was with several travel ball teams including the Indiana Playmakers. He also played for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen of the Midwest Collegiate League (now Northern League).

Jaksich played for Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Dave Pishkur at Andrean. Pishkur led the 59ers to Class 3A state championships in 2014 and 2015.

His high school pitching coach was Joe Plesac.

“Joe’s an awesome guy,” says Jaksich. “I stay in-touch with him.”

A member of the program in 2014, left-hander Jaksich started on the mound for Andrean in the 2015 championship game and pitched into the fifth inning before moving to first base.

From Andrean, Jaksich went to Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind. As a freshman in 2017, he started in 11 games and won three. That turned out to be the NCAA Division II Pumas’ final season as the school shut down and long-time head coach Rick O’Dette headed to Florida to guide the program at Saint Leo University.

Jaksich transferred to Ball State and hurled for the Rich Maloney-coached Cardinals 2018-21. At BSU, he made 65 mound appearances (51 in relief) with nine victories and one save and also earned General Studies degree with a Psychology minor.

He then pitched in six games with the 2021 independent American Association’s Sioux City (Iowa) Explorers before joining the coaching staff at Alderson-Broaddus University in Philippi, W.Va., where 2011 Westview High School graduate and former Saint Joseph’s assistant Zac Mishler was Battlers head coach. ABU closed in 2023.

Jaksich reflects back on his career.

“The minute I stopped caring about the result is when I started getting better,” says Jaksich. “That’s the way to go about this game. You’re going to fail. I stopped caring about being perfect out there.

“I wish I had more training like this when I played,” says Jaksich. “The private sector training has really taken off.”

Luke Jaksich. (Ball State University Photo)

College

Lipscomb makes many diamond memories at Franklin College

May 2, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

As Tysen Lipscomb’s baseball career winds downs, the fifth-year senior at Franklin (Ind.) College has plenty of memories to cherish.

The 23-year-old lefty-swinging and righty-throwing left fielder has played in 36 games (all starts) in 2024 and is hitting .397 (54-of-136) with eight home runs, one triple, 14 doubles, 45 runs batted in, 47 runs scored and a 1.214 OPS (.523 on-base percentage plus .691 slugging average).

Lipscomb has been batting in the No. 2 or No. 3 slot in veteran head coach Lance Marshall’s lineup and has 16 multi-hit games with four March 2 vs. Hope College and three on four occasions. He was chosen as NCAA Division III Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week on March 18.

“It’s definitely been a blast and a blessing,” says Lipscomb of Marshall, who took over leadership of the FC program in August 1997. “He’s going to push you. He’s going to tell you like it is. That’s what I love and his players love about him.

“But he’s always going to bring you aside if you’re struggling a little bit and talking you off the ledge. It’s a ‘this to shall pass’ sort of thing. He can definitely do both things. He’s very knowledgeable about the game. There’s no secret to why he’s won so many games (632 to date). He’s a great coach and he really cares about his players.”

A starter in 157 of 158 career contests, Lipscomb is hitting .354 (214-of-604) with 22 homers, five triples, 53 doubles, 177 RBIs (a school record), 166 runs, 36 stolen bases and a 1.045 OPS (.477/.568).

Lipscomb shared his offensive keys.

“It’s about what I do well,” says Lipscomb. “When I’m at my best I’m hitting the ball to all fields well, especially the opposite way. I focus on that in practice and pre-game.”

“You have to know what kind of pitcher you’re going up against and their game plan against you. I’m always confident when I’m up there.”

Marshall works with Franklin hitters with help from assistant coach Luke Adams. When Lipscomb catches, he collaborates with Grizzlies pitching coach Jake Sprinkle on how to attack opposing hitters.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has been primarily a left fielder with a handful of games at catcher in 2024. He split time between the two positions in 2023. He was mostly in left in 2022 and a designated hitter in 2021. He played in just one game in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.

“Being in the outfield is definitely a change-up,” says Lipscomb, who enjoys controlling the game and leading from behind the plate. “You have to adapt in-game (as an outfielder). It’s about working and communicating with the other outfielders about where we’re supposed to be.

“I fly around and give 100 percent effort.”

Pre-game scouting involves knowing wind and sun conditions and the distance to the warning track and fence.

Lipscomb and the ’24 Grizzlies are 18-18 overall and 7-11 in the HCAC heading into regular season-ending conference doubleheaders Friday, May 3 vs. Bluffton (Ohio) University and Sunday, May 5 at Anderson (Ind.) University.

Franklin is fighting for a spot in the six-team HCAC Tournament May 9-12 at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Hanover and Transylvania are tied for first place at 15-3, followed by Anderson and Rose-Hulman. Franklin and Manchester have the same HCAC record.

Says Lipscomb, “We’re coming down to crunch time.”

During his college years, Lipscomb was with the Nighthawks of the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., in 2020.

“It was a great experience because it challenged me so much,” says Lipscomb of the CSL’s first season.

He was also with the Southern Collegiate Baseball League’s Carolina Disco Turkeys (Winston-Salem, N.C.) in 2023.

“I’m kind of jealous,” says Lipscomb. “(The Disco Turkeys) are going to become the Yacht Rockers for a game. I wish I could have been a Yacht Rocker.”

Lipscomb has already earned a Exercise Science degree at Franklin and is finishing his course work for an Athletic Training masters degree with internship hours to complete. He could likely have another year of eligibility but plans to enter the work force. He is currently exploring high school athletic training jobs.

Tysen was born in Muncie, Ind., to Gary and Andora Lipscomb and the younger brother of Kylee and was in second grade when the family moved to the Selma, Ind., area. His parents and sister all graduated from Muncie Southside High School.

Gary Lipscomb played baseball. His daughter played softball and golf in high school pursued the latter sport at Indiana University East in Richmond.

As a youngster, Tysen played both Selma youth league and travel ball beginning around 7. He started with the Indiana Longhorns then went to a team formed by his father — the Magic City Orioles. Then came the Indiana Eagles. He got his first taste of competition at the next level by playing in the Fort Wayne-based wood bat circuit (Indiana Collegiate Summer Baseball League) in 2019 after putting his four varsity campaigns graduating from Wapahani High School.

Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Brian Dudley led the Raiders program and is now an assistant to Heath Dudley on a staff that now includes Gary Lipscomb. This year, the Wapahani diamond became Brian J. Dudley Field.

“Brian’s really focused,” says Lipscomb. “He really cares about his players. He wants to see them do well not only inside but outside baseball

“Brian’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen. If he doesn’t know something, he’s going to get that answer and come back and start implementing it. He was one of my biggest role models growing up.”

With Lipscomb on the team, Wapahani won sectional crown in 2017 and 2019, a regional title in 2019, a semistate championship in 2017 and was Class 2A state runners-up in 2017.

“I’m proud to be part of that history,” says Lipscomb. “I loved every minute of it.”

A Cincinnati Reds rooter, Lipscomb’s favorite current MLB player in Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper.

“I like the passion he plays with,” says Harper. “I like the way he’s grown in the game. He’s definitely a lot more mature and a leader.

“His swing is my favorite in the game because it’s the closest to mine that I’ve seen. I try to do a lot of the things that he does.”

Tysen Lipscomb. (Franklin College Photo)

College

Crown Point alum Bosse earns CCAC Pitcher of the Week honor with St. Ambrose U.

April 27, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Jacob Bosse was honored as Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week on April 23.

The junior left-hander at NAIA member St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, threw an eight-inning complete game with a career high-tying 12 strikeouts and four walks in a 14-1 win against Judson University. He had a shutout going until the seventh inning.

In eight mound outings (all starts) for the 2024 Fighting Bees, Bosse is 2-1 with a 6.00 earned run average, 53 strikeouts and 36 walks in 36 innings. Opponents are hitting .218 against him.

In his first season at St. Ambrose in 2023, he pitched 11 times (six as a starter) and was 1-0 with a 3.82 ERA, 53 strikeouts and 38 walks in 30 2/3 innings.

SAU head coach Tony Huntley and pitching coach Hunter Keim could decide to send Bosse to the bump Sunday, April 28 against visiting Calumet College of St. Joseph (the school in Whiting, Ind., has players familiar to Bosse including Jorge Santos) or save him for next week’s CCAC Tournament in Joliet, Ill.

Pitching wasn’t always the thing for Bosse.

Growing up in Crown Point, Ind.,and playing Little League and Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth ball and travel ball with Top Tier, he was an outfielder.

At Crown Point High School, he only stepped on the mound once in awhile.

“I’d go in if we needed a guy,” says Bosse. “I had no real feel for how to be a pitcher.”

He went up the ladder for the Bulldogs, playing on the frosh team as a freshman, junior varsity squad as a sophomore and varsity as a junior. He could be found in left field or center field.

Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Steve Strayer leads the CPHS program.

“He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ll ever have,” says Bosse of Strayer. “He’s a great guy. He really gave me confidence.

“He helped me become a better baseball player and a better person.”

While working out for a 2020 senior season that wound up canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bosse began to get serious about pitching.

After graduation, the left-hander stuck with it.

As fits his personality, he threw himself the task of getting better at the craft.

“I’m a very fierce competitor,” says Bosse, 22. “I care a lot about what and how I’m doing. If goes beyond the game for me. I’m planning my days out around what I’m going to do to get better.

“My competitiveness and hunger to do better every day are my best qualities.”

Delivering from a high three-quarter arm slot, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Bosse mixes a four-seam fastball, “circle” change-up, 12-to-6 curveball and a slider.

He has topped out at 92 mph and sits at 87 to 91 mph with his fastball. His change travels at 75 to 78, curve at 70 to 74 and slider at 76 to 79.

“I try to get more arm-side sink (with the change-up),” says Bosse. “I try to get a lot of fade to it to miss more barrels. It plays really well off my fastball.

“I do get a lot of natural run. When I pull it down, I get more back spin than side spin. I try to create a rise effect with it.”

Bosse attended a Prep Baseball Report showcase through Top Tier and was drawn to South Suburban College, a National Junior College Athletic Association member in South Holland, Ill. It was where he became a pitcher-only.

Toeing the slab for the Steve Ruzich-coached Bulldogs, Bosse pitched in 37 games (29 as a reliever) in 2021 and 2022 and went 5-3 with 5.72 ERA, 96 strikeouts and 70 walks in 74 innings.

Pitching for the NWI Rippers in a Babe Ruth district game in the summer of 2021, Bosse struck out a record 20 batters. He faced 24 batters and gave up one hit in 6 2/3 innings. Of 106 pitches, 69 were strikes.

“I do consider myself to be a pretty high-strikeout pitcher,” says Bosse. “I do take into account how many pitches I’m using. If I can strike out a guy as fast as I can, I try to do that and really challenge him.”

Through Twitter (now X), Bosse was recruited to St. Ambrose by assistant coach Joe Vaccaro.

“I came out here for a visit, loved it and decided it was the place for me,” says Bosse. “It is a really nice place.”

In the summer of 2022, Bosse played for the Crown Point-based Lake County CornDogs of the Northern League. In 2023, he was with the Northwoods League’s Rochester (Minn.) Honkers. This summer he’s due to play for the NWL’s Fond du Lac (Wis.) Dock Spiders.

A Sport Management major, Bosse expects to finish his undergraduate degree in the fall then begin masters classes. He says he plans to play 2025 might come back in 2026 as a graduate student. The pandemic plus his time in junior college has added to his eligibility clock.

Bosse’s favorite MLB team is the Los Angeles Dodgers. A recreational basketball player growing up, his favorite athlete is former Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose.

“I got to see him play a couple of times when I was a kid,” says Bosse. “That’s how I grew to love Chicago.”

Jacob is the oldest of Brad and Diana Bosse’s two children. Allyson Bosse is studying Business at Indiana University South Bend.

Jacob Bosse. (St. Ambrose University Photo)

Jacob Bosse. (Lake County CornDogs Photo)

Jacob Bosse. (South Suburban College Photo)

Jacob Bosse with sister Allyson, father Brad and mother Diana.

College

Former two-way player Biven focusing on mound for U. of Louisville

April 24, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

When last seen on the mound for the University of Louisville, Tucker Biven was walking off after shutting the door on the Hurricanes to clinch an Atlantic Coast Conference series win and you could see it on his face.

“My emotions just came out in the end,” says Biven.

The Cardinals triumphed 6-5 in 10 innings Saturday, April 20 at the University of Miami’s Mark Light Field in Coral Gables, Fla.

Biven, a sophomore right-hander from New Albany, Ind., tossed a scoreless ninth and 10th inning with two strikeouts and moved to 3-0 on the 2024 season.

Two singles to open the Miami 10th was followed by a U of L double play then a game-clinching strikeout from Biven. He fired a first-pitch strike to a right-handed batter then came back from a 3-1 count to strike him out, with the the last pitch being a sinker in.

“In ACC play I’ve been throwing a lot of sinkers in and sliders away,” says Biven. “They mix well.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder also uses a curveball, change-up and four-seam fastball from an arm slot just above three-quarter.

His four-seamer has gone as high as 96 mph. His sinker generally travels at 91 to 94.

Biven has made 15 mound appearances in 2024 (all in relief) and is 3-0 (with wins vs. Bellarmine, Wake Forest and Miami), four saves (against Florida State, North Carolina State twice and Miami), 1.96 earned run average, 29 strikeouts and six walks in 23 innings.

Opponents are hitting .209 against him and his longest stint was 3 1/3 innings March 23 against Wake Forest when he recorded a season-best five strikeouts.

Biven has finished in more than half his games.

“We don’t really have roles at the beginning of the season,” says Biven. “We figure out who’s best in which situation.

“When everything’s on you and you need to get outs at the end of the game, I kind of like that role.”

A two-time Class 4A all-stater and rated as the No. 1 shortstop and No. 3 overall player in Indiana and the No. 18 shortstop in the nation by Perfect Game, Biven from went New Albany High School to Louisville as a two-way player. He was in the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association North/South All-Star Series in Marion.

In 2023, he went 2-of-6 at the plate and pitched 20 times (16 out of the bullpen) and was 0-2 with a 4.81 ERA, 26 strikeouts and 21 walks in 33 2/3 innings.

In the summer, Biven got into two games (3 1/3 innings) with the Cape Cod League’s Falmouth Commodores and came home after a minor injury cropped up.

“Last fall I decided I just want to focus on pitching, get better at my craft, try to get as good as I can and help this team win,” says Biven. “I felt like that was the best option for me.”

Plans call for Biven to go back to Cape Cod this summer with the Orleans Firebirds.

But first there’s business to attend with the Louisville Cardinals (24-16, 9-9).

After a non-conference win Tuesday, April 23 against Western Kentucky at Jim Patterson Stadium in which Biven did not pitch, U of L hosts a three-game series Friday through Sunday, April 26-28 against ACC Atlantic Division leader Clemson.

Dan McDonnell is in his 18th season as Louisville’s head coach.

When describing what he wants from his athletes, including Biven, McDonnell uses words like tough, athletic, strong, durable and versatlie.

Biven says players need to buy into the team culture being built by the coach.

“That should all be routine for everyone — be in-touch with the process, go out and play as hard as you can,” says Biven.

Roger Williams is in his 18th season as the Cardinals pitching coach and 10th as associate head coach.

“He’s calmer with a lower tone of voice than Coach Mac,” says Biven of Williams. “He doesn’t just want to hear you say it, but wants to see results. He holds us accountable.”

While about 10 miles separate New Albany and the U of L, Biven lives on-campus with teammates.

A Sport Administration major, Biven sees himself serving someday as a college baseball coach and/or an athletic director or director of operations following his playing career. He becomes eligible for the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in 2025.

Biven got his baseball start in New Albany Little League and was in travel ball with the Ironmen and Canes Midwest (15U to 17U).

Biven was a four-year varsity player in baseball and basketball at New Albany, where he graduated in 2022.

His head coaches — Chris McIntyre on the diamond and Jim Shannon on the hardwood — had long, successful careers.

McIntyre is in the IHSBCA Hall of Fame with nearly 600 victories.

“He’s a dude that’s going to hold you accountable,” says Biven of McIntyre. “You do stuff the right way. He’ll teach you the game and how to be a man in life.”

Shannon’s resume includes more than 600 wins and a state championship.

“It was a pleasure to play for him,” says Biven of Shannon. “He’s going to discipline you. He’s going to get on you. He wants the best from you.”

Josh and Jessica Biven are the parents of two sons — Cooper (22) and Tucker (20).

Josh Biven, a retired Louisville firefighter, played college baseball at Louisville, Campbellsville and Indiana University Southeast.

Jessica Biven is co-owner of a financial advisors firm.

Cooper Biven (New Albany Class of 2020) played baseball briefly at Kentucky Wesleyan College and now owns a landscaping business.

In a family of St. Louis Cardinals fans, Tucker also pulls for that MLB team. His favorite athlete is Kobe Bryant.

“It’s because of his work ethic and his (Mamba) Mentality,” says Biven. “I also liked to wear his shoes growing up.”

Tucker Biven. (University of Louisville Photo)

College

Richmond’s hitting rhythm contributing to Western Michigan lineup

April 19, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

C.J. Richmond doesn’t want to be too early nor does the left-handed hitter want to be too late.

It’s rhythm and timing that has led to success in the batter’s box for the lefty-swinging Western Michigan University junior.

In his first season with the Broncos, Richmond works with hitting coach Cory Mee.

“We talk a lot about rhythm and how it’s a dance between the hitter and pitcher,” says Richmond. “You can’t let the pitcher upset your timing. If you’re on-time, you have such a better chance to hit the ball hard.”

Richmond does his pregame research by studying Synergy Sports videos of opposing moundsmen to see what they have to offer.

“Every pitcher at the D-I level should be in our little database,” says Richmond.

Heading into a three-game Mid-American Conference series against Ball State Friday through Sunday, April 19-21 at Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field in Kalamazoo, Mich., Richmond has played in 34 games (all starts) and is hitting .362 (46-of-127) with eight home runs (including a dinger in three straight games March 16 vs. Toledo, March 19 at Notre Dame and March 23 at Eastern Michigan), no triples, 10 doubles, 40 runs batted in (including four in the Feb. 16 season opener against Michigan in Glendale, Ariz.), 30 runs scored and a 1.114 OPS (.484 on-base percentage plus .630 slugging average).

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder has played all his games so far in 2024 at designated hitter, but he is also a corner infielder and outfielder.

He began the season as the No. 5 hitter in WMU head coach Billy Gernon’s lineup and then was moved to clean-up.

“My approach is to get a pitch at the top of the (strike) zone so I can do damage on it and hit the ball hard,” says Richmond. “If there’s runners on-base, it’s my job to drive them in.”

Richmond says the angle of his swing comes naturally through batting cage sessions.

He’s a hitter of bombs, but that’s not his focus.

“I like to think of myself as a good hitter that can leave the yard at times,” says Richmond. “It’s more than just home runs.”

The 20-year-old Sport Management major is eligible for the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, which is scheduled for July 14-16. His birthday is in August.

“It’s a goal and dream of mine,” says Richmond of being drafted. “But I’m trying to stayed focused on the goal at hand and that’s trying to get that ring and win a (conference) championship.”

WMU is 20-14 overall, 11-4 in the MAC.

Gernon, a former Indiana University pitcher, is in his 14th season leading the Broncos program.

“Coach Gernon is a great human being,” says Richmond. “He knows how to inspire talent, motivate us and get us going every single day.”

Richmond spent the 2023 season at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

In 40 games for the Ryan Cougill-coached Reivers, he hit .289 (35-of-121) with nine homers, no triples, six doubles, 43 RBIs, 30 runs and a 1.001 OPS (.439/.562).

“Cougill was all about player comfort,” says Richmond. “He had us go out without a fear of failure.”

Beginning his college career at Western Illinois University, Richmond posted an average of .195 (18-of-95) with four homers, no triples, three doubles, 12 RBIs, 14 runs and a .634 OPS (.287/.347) in 36 games (25 starts) for the Andy Pascoe-coached Leathernecks.

“He gave me an opportunity when no one else in the country would,” says Richmond of Pascoe. “I appreciate him giving me a foot in the door.”

Other experiences have come with the Western Baseball League’s Kelowna (B.C.) Falcons in 2022 and Prospect League’s Champion City Kings (Springfield, Ohio) 2023. He has signed to play with the Northwoods League’s Bismarck (N.D.) Larks, but that could be effected by the draft.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Richmond played at what is now Skiles Test Baseball & Softball and Fall Creek Valley Middle School and the Indy Titans travel organization leading up to his high school years when his summers were spent with either the Indiana Nitro or Indiana Bulls.

Richmond was a Lawrence North High School as a freshman then Park Tudor School for three years. He earned two letters and was a two-year starter. The 2020 season was taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a senior for the Courtney Whitehead-coached Panthers, Richmond hit a robust .510 with 10 homers and was selected Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association first-team Class 2A all-state in the outfield and was an IHSBCA North/South All-Star Series participant as well as all-Pioneer Conference and all-Marion County.

Richmond credits Whitehead for helping him navigate the recruiting process.

“He was able to help me sift through all the information and what I wanted to do with my career and how I was going to move forward after high school,” says Richmond.

Toronto is Richmond’s favorite MLB team and his preferred player in Blue Jays 6-foot-2, 245-pound corner infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“They’ve got a lot of talent and a lot of legacy players,” says Richmond. “That’s pretty cool.”

Richmond is a legacy at WMU. His father played baseball for the Broncos.

C.J. is the son of Charles and Jamila Richmond. His dad, an elevator technician, is Charles Henry and he is Charles Joshua. His mother is a speech pathologist.

Sister Leah Richmond (Lawrence North Class of 2024) is signed to play volleyball at WMU beginning in the fall.

C.J. Richmond. (Western Illinois University Photo)

C.J. Richmond. Western Michigan University Photo)

College

Ball State’s Dobbins makes adjustments, earns MAC Player of the Week

April 18, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Hunter Dobbins’ bat was scalding hot as Ball State University swept a three-game Mid-American Conference baseball series April 13-14 against Akron.

The righty-swinging junior catcher went 8-of-9 with four home runs, two doubles, 10 runs batted in and six runs scored and was named April 15 as the MAC Player of the Week.

“I changed some things and got my confidence back,” says Dobbins. “I just made things simple (with bat angle and position in the batter’s box) so I could see the ball longer.”

The 6-foot-1, 204-pounder has used his strength and bat speed to drive the ball.

As the Rich Maloney-coached BSU Cardinals (23-14, 10-8) head into a three-game MAC series April 19-21 at Western Michigan University, Dobbins has played in 37 games (35 starts) and is hitting .284 (33-of-116) with 12 homers, no triples, 10 doubles, 33 RBIs, 22 runs and a 1.055 OPS (.374 on-base percentage plus .681 slugging average).

A 2024 Buster Posey Award Nominee and the No. 1 MAC Prospect for the 2024 Major League Basebll Draft by D1Baseball.com, Dobbins the catcher has made 141 putouts with 14 assists, just one error in 156 total chances and a .994 fielding percentage. He has thrown out 5-of-13 runners trying to steal a base on him.

“My keys are to keep the ball in front of me at all times to limit free bases to other teams and control the pitching staff and control the running game as well,” says Dobbins, who began focusing on catching when he got to college. “Making sure I am healthy and getting a good amount of sleep helps me (excel at hitting and catching) at the same time.

“I’ve learned about stretching and recovery and I work out as much as possible. If my workouts are hard it’s that much easier during the game.”

Assistant Nick Caruso is charged with coaching first base and the Cardinals’ catchers. Alex Maloney works with hitters and outfielders and is the recruiting coordinator. Justin Wechsler is the pitching coach.

Dobbins played in 55 games (51 starts) was named to the 2023 MAC All-Defensive Team after making a league-best 258 putouts with 52 assists (31 in conference games), three errors, 460 total chances and a .993 fielding norm. He gunned down 25-of-56 stolen base attempts. He nailed 18 runners in MAC play.

In the batter’s box in 2023, Dobbins hit .209 with nine homers, one triple, four doubles, 29 RBIs, 31 runs and a .708 OPS (.313/.395).

A break of the hamate bone in his left (glove) hand occurred early in his freshmen season (2022), making Dobbins a designated hitter. In 29 games (27 starts), he hit .339 (38-of-112) with eight homers (including a three-run shot in his first game), two triples, four doubles, 26 RBIs, 29 runs and a 1.020 OPS (.395/.625).

The summer after high school graduation (2021), Dobbins played a little in the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. The summer of 2022 was largely about getting healthy from his broken hand.

Last summer, he went to Texas to hone his craft at Kova Sports Baseball Training Center in Alvarado and D-Bat Benbrook in Forth Worth and worked out daily at The Lab in Fort Worth.

“My swing wasn’t right,” says Dobbins. “I decided to re-tool everything and get back on-track.”

Dobbins, 21, says he is not certain he will play this summer or just attend draft workouts. The 2024 MLB Draft is July 14-16.

Dobbins was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Fishers, Ind. He played travel ball for the Indiana Nitro and Team Indiana and commuted to Fortville, Ind., to attend Mt. Vernon High School, where he graduated in 2021.

As a catcher/third baseman, Dobbins enjoyed a head-turning senior season. He hit .588 with 10 homers, 12 doubles, 39 RBIs and 22 runs while helping the Brad King-coached Marauders win their first regional title in 30 years. He was named a Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A all-state catcher and participated in the IHSBCA North/South All-Star Series in Evansville.

Hunter is the son of car dealer Brian Dobbins and realtor Shelly Bond.

A Marketing major at Ball State, Hunter sees himself going into real estate some day after his baseball career.

“I have a passion for selling houses and talking to people,” says Dobbins. “That’s what I want to do.”

Hunter’s siblings include two brothers (Brian Dobbins Jr., and Ryan Williams) and one sister (Breaunna Dobbins).

Hunter Dobbins. (Ball State University Image)

Hunter Dobbins. (Ball State University Photo)

High School

Maddox, Frankton Eagles sweat diamond details

April 15, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Caleb Maddox is emphasizing the details in his first season as head baseball coach at Frankton (Ind.) Junior/Senior High School.

Maddox, who joined former Eagles head coach Brad Douglas as junior varsity head coach/varsity assistant for the 2020 season that was erased by the COVID-19 pandemic and will lead an Indiana Prospects 16U National travel team this summer, spent the time leading up to the 2024 Frankton season by breaking players up into position groups as well as focusing on batting approaches.

“It’s what we want our players thinking when they step into the box or what they need to be looking to do in different counts,” says Maddox. “Or what their job is with two strikes, how they can adjust their swing to make sure they can put a ball in-play, move a runner or drive a runner in.”

Many seniors graduated from the 2023 team, including Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association first team all-state second baseman and IHSBCA North/South All-Stars Series participant Bradyn Douglas (now at Vincennes University), meaning the Eagles are young this spring.

“Our focus in the fall and winter was showing them what it takes to compete at the varsity level,” says Maddox. “We wanted to be more prepared so we could hit the ground running once the season came around.”

Frankton (enrollment around 540) is a member of the Central Indiana Conference (with Alexandria-Monroe, Blackford, Eastbrook, Elwood, Madison-Grant, Mississinewa and Oak Hill).

The Eagles are part of an IHSAA Class 2A sectional grouping with Lapel, Monroe Central, Muncie Burris, Wapahani and Winchester Community. Frankton has won seven sectional titles — the last in 2018. Frankton rotates as site host with Lapel is to host in 2024.

Other teams on the schedule include Cowan, Daleville, Eastern Hancock, Greenfield-Central, Guerin Catholic, Hagerstown, Liberty Christian, New Castle, Shenandoah, Sheridian, South Adams, Taylor, Tipton, Wes-Del and Yorktown.

Maddox is a 2014 graduate of Daleville (Ind.) Junior/Senior High School, where his head coach was Daniel Hanson.

“Many of the things I learned while playing for Coach Hanson and coaching with Coach Douglas are things that I use today and teach our players,” says Maddox. “The importance of field work and taking pride in how the field looks and plays is something both of those guys took pride in and is a major reason it’s so important to us still today in my time at Frankton.

“We have spent a lot of long cold days getting fields in shape.”

Located at Frankton Elementary School, Paul Davis Stadium is maintained by players and coaches.

“It’s one of the nicer high school fields in the state,” says Maddox.

The 2024 Frankton coaching staff features newcomer Jason Stecher and returnees Mark Caldwell, Trevor McCorkle and Nick Hutton.

Stecher, a Frankton administrator, has decades of coaching experience. He was head coach at Anderson Highland High School, where he Scots’s home diamond was became Bob Stecher Field in honor of his father. He was an assistant to Terry Turner for Daleville’s 2018 1A state champions.

McCorkle is JV head coach and is assisted by Huttton, who coached in Frankton’s middle school program.

Seventh and eighth graders play 15 to 20 games in the spring. Many players get their diamond starts at Frankton Town & Country Baseball and most play travel ball.

Maddox earned a Sport Administration degree at Ball State University and has been a full-time member of the Muncie Fire Department for five-plus years, currently holding the rank of sergeant.

To coach baseball, he uses personal and vacation time and trades shifts.

Maddox has a girlfriend named Amber Privett. Her two children are Adaline (5) and Leo (3).

Frankton baseball is on social media via X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @FHSBaseball01 and GameChanger.

College

IU-Kokomo graduate student Platt keeps it simple on diamond

April 12, 2024 stvkrh905 Leave a comment

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

As Tucket Platt reaches the on-deck circle for the Indiana University-Kokomo Cougars baseball team repeats three phrases to to focus himself:

“See the ball.”

“Relax.”

“Hammer it!”

Platt, a righty-swinging graduate student and corner infielder, steps in the batter’s box with the idea of identifying the pitch then doing damage with it.

“I try to keep it simple,” says Platt. “I want to hit a hard line drive.”

Heading into a series between NAIA River States Conference leaders Indiana University Southeast (24-12, 16-2) and IU-Kokomo (27-13, 15-3) at Kokomo Municipal Stadium (two games Saturday, April 13 and one Sunday, April 14), Platt has played in all 40 games (39 starts) and is hitting .361 (53-of-147) with seven home runs, four triples, 18 doubles, 43 runs batted in, 43 runs scored and a 1.138 OPS (.451 on-base percentage plus .687 slugging average).

Platt has already been named RSC Player of the Week twice in 2024 — Feb. 20 and March 13.

This spring is his third at IUK after two at Olney (Ill.) Central College. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic abbreviating the 2020 season and affecting the next season for junior college athletes, he has another year of eligibility in 2025 and intends to continuing as masters in Accounting. He already has a Finance degree.

After playing a total of 28 games and hitting .215 (11-of-51) at OCC, Platt participated in 38 games for the Cougars in 2022 and hit .253 (24-of-95) with no homers, one triple, three doubles, 14 RBIs, eight runs and a .647 OPS (.342/.305) followed by 43 contests in 2023 while hitting a healthy .366 (52-of-142) with two homers, five triples, 11 doubles, 20 RBIs, 38 runs and a 1.023 OPS (.467/.556).

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Platt is primarily a third baseman and has a defensive approach.

“I think I learned this from (Hall of Famer) Scott Rolen,” says Platt. “It’s the hot corner so I look for the for the (hitters’) strike zone in front of the box and visual where they’re going to catch the ball out-front and that’s how I read the ball.

“It gets on you quick. I also play through scenarios in my head on what I need to do (when the ball is him to me).”

Platt admires many athletes and one is a former infielder.

“I like (Hall of Famer) Derek Jeter for the way he carried himself in baseball,” says Platt.

Drew Brantley is the IUK head coach.

“Coach Brantley gave me an opportunity to come here and put myself in good position to start right away and I did,” says Platt. “He’s a well-spoken coach. He knows the game.”

Dennis Conley won 1,158 games at the National Junior College Athletic Association level and led Olney Central to 40 consecutive winning seasons.

“He was old school for sure,” says Platt of Conley.

Platt is slated to play this summer with the Prospect League’s Lafayette (Ind.) Aviators. He was with the PL’s O’Fallon (Mo.) Hoots in 2023, Northwoods League’s Kokomo Jackrabbits in 2022 and honed his skills in the College Summer League at Grand Park in 2021 (Snapping Turtles) and 2020 (Screwballs).

“My first year that league was stacked,” says Platt. “There were dudes from every Power 5 team that summer.”

Platt was born and raised in Logansport, Ind. He played T-ball at Riverside Park. From ages 9 to 12, he was in recreation ball at Crain and Metz fields. From 13 to 15, he competed in the Logansport Babe Ruth League.

At 13, he also began travel ball. He was with the Battle Ground Tomahawks at 13U and Monticello Tribe at 14U before three summers with the Indiana Prospects. On more than one team his coach was Dan Walbaum.

Before heading to college, he was with Don Andrews-managed Kokomo American Legion Post 6.

Platt was a three-sport athlete at Logansport High School, playing football, basketball and baseball for four years and graduating in 2019.

He was a middle linebacker for the varsity football team as a freshman. He dressed with varsity as a freshman and sophomore and started every basketball game his last two years. He was a four-year varsity baseball player.

A second baseman as a freshman, he was shortstop the next three and also did some pitching for then-head coach Jim Turner Jr.

“He kept it pretty light,” says Platt of Turner. “He wanted to make sure you were doing the right things. It was on you to do the extra work and make sure you were prepared.”

Tucker is the youngest of Brad and Stacey Platt’s three children, behind Alexis and Kelley. Alexis Platt (now Alexis Miller) was a swimmer at Logansport High and Kelley Platt was a standout gymnast for the Berries and is now head coach.

Brad Platt spent decades as an assistant baseball coach at LHS.

“I was always at the field and picking up on things early,” says Tucker of his time with his father. “I got BP and (fungo reps) with him. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

“He’s given me all the opportunities in the world to succeed.”

In his senior year, Tucker was chosen as Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A honorable mention all-state and went to Madison, Ind., to participate in the IHSBCA North/South All-Star Series.