Senior Jared Abelson will attend Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota to play baseball next fall. He was recruited to play National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III College Baseball under the direction of Head Coach Matt Parrington.

Abelson has dedicated 13 years of his life to baseball and has traveled all over the United States to play games and participate in showcases and tournaments.

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was four years old,” Abelson said. “There isn’t really an offseason for me. I play during the spring, summer, fall, and work on my mechanics during the winter.”

Abelson has worked all his life for the opportunity to play college ball and is now very excited that his hard work has paid off. Only 6.8% of all high school baseball players go on to play at the college level.

“This opportunity means everything to me,” Abelson said. “It means four more years of the game I’ve played most my life. It means I get to develop my skills and dedicate myself to the game I love.”

On the field Abelson has one of the most important and hardest positions to play.

“I have been and loved being catcher for most of my baseball career,” Abelson said. “I can control the game and affect every pitch.”

Along with playing, Abelson has coached baseball for younger athletes hoping to pass on the love of the game.

“It’s all about overcoming obstacles,” Abelson said. “The beauty in baseball is that you don’t have to be 6’5” to be the best player. Anyone can be great; you just have to be the hardest working guy, especially in the offseason.”

Out of the 13 years of his baseball career, Abelson shared his favorite memory.

“Throwing someone out from the catcher position is always the best feeling,” Abelson said. “It was the summer of my sophomore year during one of my tournaments. I picked off a runner [who was] not paying attention by standing up [and] pretending to throw back to the pitcher and actually throwing it all the way to second base to get him out.”

Like most catchers, Abelson throws righty, but when it comes to offense he is part of the low percentage of players who stand on the left side of the plate.

“My grandfather is the reason why I bat lefty,” Abelson said. “He used to throw balls to me when I was a little kid and was the one who inspired me to start playing.”