Scrapper teammates in familiar place
By JON MOFFETT
Niles
It’s not every day you get to play professional baseball on the same field as you did in college.
And while Aaron Fields and Alex Kaminsky aren’t exactly close to home, at least there is some familiarity between college baseball and their professional careers with the Scrappers.
Fields was drafted in the 42nd round of this year’s Major League Baseball draft, while Kaminsky signed with the Indians as a free agent last weekend.
Both attended Wright State, which is in the same conference – the Horizon League – as Youngstown State and have had their share of games at Eastwood Field.
The home of YSU baseball, Kaminsky said playing home games at Eastwood is somewhat surreal. But it’s also comforting.
“It’s good to be back,” he said. “I’ve spent four years playing here, and I’m pretty familiar with the surroundings, so it’s good to be back.”
Fields added, “We played Youngstown State here all four of my years probably, plus the [2008] conference tournament, probably like 15 games on this field. It’s good, especially when you’re going into something unknown, to have a little bit of familiarity with where you are.”
Now professionals, Fields and Kaminsky feel a little more at home with at least a familiar face. Kaminsky attended Fostoria High, and Fields is a native of Detroit. Being teammates, they said, makes the transition that much easier.
“Having Aaron Fields here is pretty good,” Kaminsky said. “He’s a good leader, a good guy to have in the clubhouse and a good player. I think having him here to push me will boost me up a little bit.”
Added Fields: “It’s always good to have somebody with you that you know. We’ve been together the past four years, working hard, practicing, school and everything. I’m happy I got the opportunity, but I’m even more happy that he got the opportunity too.”
Fields has another reason to be excited for this season. His father, Bruce, is a hitting coordinator with the Indians. Growing up a Tigers fan, the younger Fields has quickly changed his allegiances. But Fields’ younger brother, Daniel, is in the Detroit Tigers’ farm system.
Kaminsky, however, said he has been an Indians fan for his entire life. To play for his hometown team, and to do so under the tutelage of former Tribe standout, and current Scrappers manager Travis Fryman is a dream come true.
“I remember going to Jacobs [now Progressive] Field, and he used to play third base when my dad had season tickets,” he said. “Going from watching him play to playing for him is a pretty cool experience.”
Fryman’s no-nonsense approach and professionalism have caught the attention of the two rookies. Fields said it reminds him of how his father’s peers maintain a major league clubhouse.
“He’s a great guy,” Fields said. “It’s going to be so helpful learning from a guy who played 13 years in the [majors]. You can’t find that in many places.”
When asked about his career goals, Fields said he hopes to make it to the major-leagues and be a starter for 10-plus years.
“And for all these guys,” he said, “if they don’t look at it the same way, then why are you here?”
Both Kaminsky and Fields are optimistic and excited. Each hope to debut soon and show what they can do on the diamond.
But will it be nervous anticipation, or anxious excitement at first?
“I’m ready. This is something I’ve been ready for, and a goal I’ve been trying to attain since I was a kid,” Fields said. “I can’t even put it into words. I’m just ready to play.”