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By Tammy Kimberley Wave staff writer
Last spring Cole McDonald, 11, traded mats for the mound when he decided to try out to be part of a little league baseball team. A wrestler for the East Valley Viper Wrestling Club, Cole has wrestled since he was age 5 and medaled at many tournaments. This Newman Lake kid started last baseball season as a rookie but ended as an all-star by developing skills and working hard with his teammates. Prior to joining a team via Riverview Little League, Cole said his experience with baseball was playing catch with his brother and watching his parents play in a softball league. His dad, who has served as a volunteer wrestling coach with the Vipers, encouraged him to give baseball a shot. After baseball tryouts, Cole was drafted for the little league Mariners team. While he originally wanted to play an infield position, Cole discovered he had the skills to play another position — pitcher.
Even though it took a little while for Cole to adjust to baseball, Ben said Cole’s mental toughness, positive attitude and coachability helped him become a great player that the other players looked up to as a leader. Cole said baseball provided different challenges than wrestling, and he learned a lot from his first season. “Baseball is not as physical (as wrestling),” he said. “It's more team than individual.” Cole said his teammates helped him learn the nuances of baseball, such as the correct batting stance. He said they also helped him become faster by competing against one another while running the bases. His hard work and determination paid off when he found out he made last year’s All-Star team. Ben described this as “very rare” for a rookie, but said Cole’s mental toughness and athletic ability enabled him to pick up skills quickly.
“My dad played shortstop (in a softball league), so I wanted to give it a try,” Cole said. “But then when I got on the mound, I guess I was pretty good.”
When this season starts in mid-April, Cole will move up to the Majors, which he described as a faster league. He’s been preparing by going to the batting cages and playing catch with his brother, but he said he’s most looking forward to seeing some of the friends he made last year and striving toward making the All-Star team again.
Last season’s coach, Ben Abshire, said Cole’s biggest strengths were his speed and his arm, noting that Cole became the team’s go-to pitcher.
As great as his first year was, Ben said he believes Cole has many great seasons ahead of him, as long as he wants to keep playing.
“The team quickly knew that if we had a tough game coming up, Cole was the one to take the hill,” Ben said.
“With his athleticism and determination, he could develop into a great player at higher levels,” he said.
Submitted photos
Cole McDonald, 11, served as pitcher and shortstop last season for his Riverview Little League baseball team, the Mariners. An avid wrestler and football player, last year was the first time Cole played with an organized baseball team.
Cole McDonald Age 11 Parents Rory and Sarah McDonald Siblings Brother, Randy; sister, Emma Pets Two cats, two dogs School Sixth grade at Otis Orchards Elementary Interests Baseball, football, wrestling, playing on trampoline Favorite baseball team Seattle Mariners