The Shadow
Passion for baseball is common in Alleghany County, and that rings true for Alleghany Mountaineer shortstop Eli Weese.
Weese, a slick fielding junior and leadoff hitter for the undefeated Mounties, began his playing career, so to speak, when he was a little 4-year-old toddler. His dad signed him up for tee-ball and he knew at that age that baseball was where he would put his focus in athletics.
Weese played basketball until his freshman year when he broke his ankle before the season started, and since then, it has been baseball all the way.
His passion for the game is so strong that even in his free time he is in the batting cages working on his hitting. Occasionally, Weese will find some time to hang with family and friends and play video games, but baseball is his main focus at this point in his career.
“I put all my effort into it year-round,” Weese said.
That effort also goes into the defensive side as well where Weese is very good. Rarely does a playable ball get by him, and his strong throwing arm helps him in that category too.
“I take my defense very seriously, maybe even more than hitting. I just take every rep in practice seriously and let it translate to the game. I also pride myself in staying calm and collected during games, so I am able to make the plays,” Weese explained.
All the practice and focus on the little things help the Mountaineers out on gamedays, and as of this writing, they are ranked no. 1 in 2A. Weese believes the sky is the limit for his squad, but they must continue to work hard on the field and away from it as well.
“We knew coming into this year that we had a solid team. Most of us have been playing with each other our entire lives so that makes being out there each day so special. We are off to a pretty good start, but we all know that we have to keep working hard in practice and on our own time to get better. The key is not getting comfortable and just continuing to play as a team,” stated Weese.
According to Weese, the coaching staff also puts in the necessary work which trickles down to the players and is overall extremely beneficial to the team.
“Our coaches have been putting in the work just like us players have been,” Weese said.
“They show up with a plan to get us better every day. They preach about executing the little things in practice as they will lead to success during games. All of our coaches have a positive impact on how we play and act,” he added.
After last year, Weese knows his teammates will all strive to work as hard as they ever have because of the taste in their mouths they do not want to experience again this season. Plus, next year as a senior, he wants to be able to lead the next young group like his current seniors do now.
“Last year, we had a tough loss in the state quarterfinal and that loss has motivated all of us this season. We all have one goal, and that is to hang a state championship banner. It is going to be tough but if we keep playing as a team and believe in each other, I think that it’s definitely achievable. It’s hard to think about my senior year because it’s still so early, but looking forward, I just want to keep developing my game and getting bigger and faster over the offseason. Also, I want to be the biggest role model and leader for the younger players that will be on the team next year,” Weese said passionately.
Next year is also the inaugural consolidation season, and while Weese believes there may be some growing pains and tension in the beginning, once everything settles, it will be a great thing for the school in the future.
“I think that consolidation will bring opportunities for not only baseball, but many sports. Academically, there will be plenty of opportunities for students and teachers. There will most likely be growing pains for the first couple of years, but in the end, I think this will be a good thing for everyone,” Weese explained.
Finding success through the younger stages of your life can be difficult, but when parents keep you on the correct path, things become easier. For Weese, he has the best supporters and best critics he could have asked for.
“My parents are my biggest supporters and my biggest critics, but in a good way. My dad spends lots of his time at the field or in the cages with me. While my mom is my biggest supporter, she also tells me what I need to hear when I mess up to keep me focused. I could not be more grateful for them. Without my parents, I would not be the person and player that I am today,” Weese concluded.
