For countless baseball players, the ambition to play beyond high school may seem short-lived. For junior Justin Wilson though, who plays catcher, pitcher and designated hitter on the campus varsity baseball team, the dream never diminished.

Wilson began playing baseball when he was five-years-old due to the encouragement of his father. Now, 11 years later, Wilson recognizes the importance of the sport in his life.

“It’s a sport that I think I’m good at, and while I could go without any other sport, I couldn’t go without baseball for an entire year,” Wilson said. “When I step across the white line and onto the field, it’s like everything outside doesn’t matter anymore and I’m 100 percent focused on the game.”

During the years that he has played baseball, Wilson seeks to display the determination and dedication of retired San Francisco Giants player, Willie Mays.

“One major league baseball player who stands out to me is Willie Mays,” Wilson said. “Every time he got on the field, he gave 100 percent. He was an all-around amazing player and he had a great attitude as well.”

Displaying the admired attitude of Mays, baseball coach Bill McGowen says that Wilson’s sportsmanship is evident.

“Justin is a really good hitter and he also has one of the best attitudes by far,” McGowen said. “Some words [to describe him] that come to my mind first are prankster and a great teammate. He’s one of my favorite guys on the team and he is just a pleasure to be around. He does everything I ask of him.”

Fellow baseball player Tyler Haritzalde, ’11, who has been friends with Wilson since seventh grade, also notices Wilson’s caring attitude on and off the field.

“He’s a devoted and hard worker,” Haritzalde said. “He motivates and encourages every player as well. We’ve been on the same team for a while so we’ve been through a lot of things together. He knows how to pick me up when I’m down.”

During the baseball season, Wilson looks forward to the challenge of playing Fowler High School over all other teams due to their similar skill levels.

“The closest and most competitive game is definitely playing against Fowler,” Wilson said. “When we play Fowler, you know it’ll be a good game.”

Wilson says that the team this season holds the title and promise of being the leading baseball team the school has furnished in years.

“We have the best and most talented team we have had in a while,” Wilson said. “When we’re in practice we can all just be having a great time and then during a game we just all connect. Everyone is so dedicated. We also have the best coaches and we are playing at an entirely new and harder level of baseball.”

Next year, however, Wilson holds higher hopes and goals for the team.

“My hope is that I become senior captain for the team and that we also have an even greater season,” Wilson said.

In regard to Wilson’s completion of high school in one year, McGowen says he will be greatly missed.

“I don’t want to think about [Wilson leaving], but I guess I would miss the most all the times he comes up to me and gives me a bear hug, or a hard time about the [Los Angeles] Dodgers,” McGowen said. “Those moments will be missed the most.”

After high school, Wilson hopes to complete college and then work in the Los Angeles Fire Department. Wilson plans on playing baseball throughout college and accept any other baseball possibilities that are offered as well.

“I want to become a firefighter because I have the urge to help people,” Wilson said. “I want to know that everyday I’m helping out others and that I’m making a difference in the world, which creates an awesome feeling of satisfaction. [But], if I’m able to get on a team at a small college or in junior college, then I’ll take that opportunity without a doubt. Otherwise, I would love to play as long as I can.”

For more information on baseball, read the Baseball sport shorts, 2010.