Tyler Simon and Malik Spratling are a powerhouse duo on the Lee County High School baseball team. With his advanced understanding of the game and dependability on the field, Simon is a monumental leader for the Trojans whether on the mound or at short stop. Spratling, pitcher and right fielder, has a striking natural ability on the field, and he is, simply put, physically gifted as a baseball player. Combined, these two boys pushed a great improvement for the Trojans baseball program, created an everlasting friendship, and found family in one another.
When the boys were in the sixth grade, they met each other head-to-head in a tournament. Simon found passion in baseball around the time he could walk, but Malik was just discovering his love of baseball. One thing lead to another, and Simon’s team invited Spratling to come on board with theirs. Spratling, looking for anyway to find improvement as a baseball player, agreed.
The very next summer, the two were teammates; however, Spratling was still living in Alabama. He stayed with Simon’s family often for convenience until one day he was invited to stay permanently.
“His mom asked me if I wanted to live with them,” Spratling said. “At first I thought she was playing, but then I realized she was serious, but of course I had to go back and talk to my parents about it to see if they were okay with it. It took about a week, but they agreed to it. Ever since then we’ve been practicing every day, working hard at it.”
Both Simon and Spratling gained one of the most important things they will ever find in their lives that day. Yes, a new teammate, now even in school programs, but also a friendship and brotherhood.
“We adopted him in the seventh grade,” Simon said. “It was different at first, then we bonded. Blood couldn’t make us closer now. He’s like my real brother. We’re best friends.”
As you can imagine, for the past six years, the household has been more baseball oriented than ever. So, how are these two boys doing on the field today you might ask?
“Tyler is the ultimate gamer,” Brandon Brock, head coach, said. “He’s one of those guys, if you had nine of them, I don’t think you’d ever lose. He’s the guy most of our other guys follow. He will play this game for as long as he wants to.”
Simon recently signed a scholarship to play at the next level at Kennesaw State University. His goal is to become a starter as soon as possible and eventually get drafted. However, he has an equally impressive back up plan to go into the dental field and become an orthodontist if baseball doesn’t work out.
“As for Malik, and as far as athletic tools go, in my 20 years of coaching, he is probably the most physically gifted kid I’ve ever coached. He’s got every tool. The only difference between him and Tyler is that Malik just has to learn the game a little better.”
After graduation, Spratling will head to Florida Gulf Coast University to continue his education and baseball career.
“I just really love the sport of baseball,” Spratling said. “There’s nothing else I would really rather be doing.”
At the time of this writing, Simon and Spratling just finished up the regular baseball season and are heading into the playoff games. No matter the outcome, these two have improved each other’s lives, and they have made a huge impact on the LCHS baseball team.
Simon on Spratling: “Malik has one of the best arms in the country, I’d say. And his bat, he can hit the ball like 400 feet.”
Spratling on Simon: “To me he’s an all-around player. His defense is good. His offence is good. His character is good.
Baseball Born Brothers
In the Game SG June/July 2017
By Sarah Turner
Photography by: Emmanuel Magbanua
