Blackburn College Baseball's all-time triples leader is planning to drag his playing career out as long as he possibly can. Senior Aaron Moody has a passion for the game that feeds his desire to continue playing once his time is through at Blackburn.
Moody, from Navarino, Wis., is a utility player who has a great bat and wheels on the bases. He became Blackburn's all-time triples leader when he hit a line drive in the gap that hit the right-center fence at Principia College. The record stands at 11 career triples and Moody is looking to increase that number in the remaining two games.
While he is excited about his achievement, Moody is even more pumped about how the team is playing, a true testament to his passion for the game. "What's more important than my individual success is the team's performance," said Moody. "I think we're in a good place at the moment and team morale is doing well."
Photo courtesy of Candace Pollock
After graduation Moody is planning to pursue playing baseball in a professional league. "I'm gonna tryout for the Pecos League," said Moody. "They don't get paid very well, but at least they are playing. I'm not ready to give up playing yet." ThePecos League is a professional baseball league that plays a 70 game schedule in 72 days and players get paid only $50 per week. Players who go to the Pecos League do so for the lone reason of loving the game.
The Pecos League, while still professional baseball, is often used as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. "I would lose my mind if I got a chance [in the Pecos League]. It wouldn't be about trying to make it to the next level, I'd be playing professional baseball. I'd be getting paid to play baseball," said Moody. "Especially since people from high school used to say that I shouldn't even be playing baseball in college."
"Aaron is a very resilient kid who loves to play baseball," said Blackburn Head Coach Mike Neal. "His determination will really be the factor for him continuing to play baseball after college, and when he is determined, nothing gets in his way."
Moody isn't the only one who believes he's got what it takes to play at the next level. "From my personal experience with him, he's a great team player, he's passionate on the field and he doesn't play for himself. He's a true team player," said junior Blackburn catcher Joey Szerletich. "He can play anywhere and does so successfully. He rarely strikes out and every team needs a player like him. So yeah, I think he can play professionally."
Photo courtesy of Candace Pollock"I believe there are two major qualities in guys who make it at the next level: talent and ambition. Aaron provides both of these qualities," said Blackburn Baseball's Assistant Coach Franklin Bush. "Throughout his career at Blackburn he has showcased his ability, as the numbers speak for themselves. It's the ambition that will allow him to play at the next level. With the opportunity to be his coach this semester, I'm willing to say that he is an extremely hard worker and will put in the necessary work to be successful. I look forward to helping him reach the next level and following his career."
Moody is already an accomplished player and it seems like his goal of eventually playing professionally is achievable if he is willing to put in the work needed to get himself to that level of play. With that being said, the whole Blackburn community is behind you Aaron.