Talent and the ability to lead don’t always go hand in hand with athletes, and even when an athlete does possess both characteristics, they are comparatively more advanced in their playing career – late high school, college, and professional athletes for example. However, for Seth Nelson, freshman catcher at Lee County High School, skill and leadership are both unquestionably already there in this young athlete.
“He’s the kind of player every coach wants nine of on their team,” Barrett Powell, ninth grade baseball coach at LCHS, said. “He’s going to work hard, and he’s going to do things without you asking him to do them. He constantly tries to better himself every day.”
Nelson picked up the sport when he was around four years old, and it’s been a passion of his ever since. He’s played on various leagues, traveled to different states, and collected a number of honors on the field. With so much early experience, he developed a sense of maturity as a player that many athletes fail to ever reach. Of course he enjoys winning, but he understands that part of reaching success is actually failing along the way.
“You’re not always going to see success in what you do,” Nelson said. “Many professional baseball players have about a .300 batting average. That’s three out of ten, and that’s considered successful. You’re not always going to win. Sometimes you hit slumps for several games, and you just have to work through it.”
It’s no surprise that a young man like Nelson plays one of the most important positions on the field. As catcher, it’s important to always be focused. A good catcher makes important decisions quickly. In a sense, although they are behind the batter, they have the most control over each and every play. Nelson understands the type of responsibility that the position entails, and that’s what he likes about it.
“As the catcher, I see the whole field,” Nelson said. “Every pitch, every second, I have to be aware of everything that’s around me. I’m the one who lets my team know where the throw should be made. The whole play starts with the catcher picking the pitch and the pitcher delivering.”
Although he grew up playing in a fairly small town, Nelson’s athletic ability certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed. He always found a place on the all-stars teams in recreational ball, and more recently he has been invited for the past three years to play in the Perfect Game Series Classic in Fort Myers, Florida, which provides him the opportunity to compete among some of the highest level players in the nation.
According to LCHS baseball head coach Brandon Brock, although early in the season at the time of this writing, Nelson has already taken over as one of the primary leaders at the sub-varsity level. Nelson currently plays with the ninth grade team, but has also played up with the older players at LCHS on several occasions. For example, he was invited to go to the Mississippi State team camp along with a small handful of other underclassmen.
“He was a rising freshman playing with our rising seniors, but they embraced him because they respect the kind of person he is, and they respect his playing ability,” Brock said. “He’s a heck of a player, but he’s obviously got room to grow just like any player does. We’re excited to have him.”
Nelson is confident in his ability on the field, but he has never been boastful a day in his life. He has dreams just like any athlete, but what sets him apart is his knack for seeing what’s truly important in effecting the overall outcome of a game. He is a responsible player, he’s trustworthy, he’s helpful, and if you ever find yourself visiting one of his games, you will, without a doubt, hear his voice in the dugout cheering on his teammates.
Interesting Facts About Seth Nelson:
His baseball dream:
“I really want to play baseball in college and maybe even make it to the pros one day.”
His Birthday:
Nelson was born on the morning of September 11, 2001.
His Family:
Nelson gets a ton of support from not only his coaches, but also his family. His mother and father supported him every step of the way as a student-athlete. Furthermore, he’s learned a lot from his siblings, whether that’s through their accomplishments or strengths during hardships. His older brother graduated from SCAD in Atlanta and now works in New York as a graphic artist. Nelson nearly lost his older sister when she was only 11 years old to a sudden onset of juvenile diabetes. Since then, he has only known his sister as being a diabetic with the constant struggles that come with the disease. He hopes to one day start a foundation for children with diabetes.
Role Models:
Seth hopes to follow in the footsteps of a couple local athletes: Buster Posey, a professional baseball catcher for the San Francisco Giants, and Josh Hatcher, a senior at LCHS who is currently in the process of choosing which school he will sign with to continue his baseball career.
Other sports:
Nelson recently picked up kicking field goals. He plans to try out for the kicker position on the football team next year.
Self-Motivator, Team-Motivator, LCHS Freshman Exemplifies What a Student-Athlete Should Be
Seth Nelson | Lee County High School | Freshman
Written by: Sarah Turner
