Williamsport Crosscutters Media Day is truly a groundhog-day-like experience. The venue is the same, the uniforms are sparkling white, the smiles and the anxiety on the player’s faces as they step out to meet the press has the same familiarity, and the freshness of a new season creates some positive energy.
The second season of the MLB Draft League opened year two earlier this month. Some longtime baseball fans have lamented that it’s ‘just not the same as it used to be’ when the local team was a direct farm team of the Phillies or the other MLB teams that had teams here. While that may be true, the fact that baseball is still being played each summer in Bowman Field is in itself cause for pride and community celebration.
However, for the 34 players listed on the Crosscutters opening day roster, this is akin to opening the presents under the tree on Christmas morning. It is a baseball opportunity they have been waiting to experience, and they intend to make the very best of it. While the players are still amateurs by definition, they are more experienced than most of the players who wore Crosscutters uniforms while members of the NY-Penn League. Twenty-four are 21 or older, with the oldest being 25-year-old pitcher Kyler Patterson from Central Oklahoma.
The excitement and anticipation are universal among the new Crosscutters.
The tallest of them, 6’8 Missouri University pitcher Austin Marozas signed up for the Draft League at the urging of teammates.
“I had some teammates of mine that played in the league last year. They told me about their experiences, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to come here and showcase my talents. So I decided to put my name in the draft pool, having no idea where I would be playing. But I am glad Williamsport was where I was sent. From what I have seen, I like.
“It has been awesome so far. Getting to meet these guys has been a blast, and I am anxious to see how the summer goes. I got here a few days before we had to report and had a chance to see some of the area with my dad. I grew up watching the Little League World Series on TV, and I will be anxious to have the opportunity to get over there and see it while I am here.
“My season at Missouri went pretty good. I was able to both start some games and also come out of the bullpen a few times. My pitching style is to be super aggressive. I like to go right at the hitters with my best stuff. Whatever happens after that is out of my hands, but every pitch, I want to be aggressive.”
Like Marozas, Butler University infielder Travis Holt found out about the Draft League from teammates.
“A few of my teammates told me about the league and what they had experienced. I know playing in this league provides one of the best opportunities to get picked up, so I had to come out here and show them what I’ve got. This is the same game I’ve been playing all my life, so I intend to go out there, be myself and keep playing the game the way I know how to, have some fun and stay relaxed.
“I just arrived the day before our media day. I haven’t seen much, as it has been a whirlwind for me. Before I got here, I didn’t know much about the team or the area, so I’ve got a lot to learn.”
Amidst a roster of older teammates, 18-year-old catcher Beck Milner arrived in Williamsport just three days following his high school graduation in Watertown, Connecticut.
“I got to Williamsport at 9 p.m. the night before we had to report for uniform assignments, so I had no idea what the area was like. In fact, at that moment, I couldn’t have told you where I was.
“I just graduated high school the Saturday before I arrived in Williamsport. Our last high school game was on May 26. We had a late start, but it was a good season for me. We got to experience our spring break with a baseball trip to Florida. Then we won our first five games, ended on a five-game win streak, and won one game between those two streaks to finish 11-9.
“The Draft League is an opportunity that I could not pass up. It will be something for me to have a pro-like experience. I committed to Yale for college, and that is important to me. However, baseball has always been my life dream and to get to have this experience as to what playing pro ball is like at a young age, I think it will serve me well.
“As a catcher, I think this year, working with a mature roster will help me a lot behind the plate. The quality of arms on this team is something to look forward to, and working with them will be great for me; and hopefully, we’ll win a lot of ball games.
“The travel with this team is something I’ve never experienced before. Most summers, I spent traveling with my dad to the various games I played. So living here with a host family or in the dorms and traveling on the team bus is going to be part of the baseball experience I hope to gain from this summer.”
Bowman Field has long promoted itself as a gateway to the Majors. While these players are not yet professionals, they all share the dream of getting there. Come out to the ballpark, cheer them on and enjoy another summer of baseball at Bowman Field.
