Cale Hackenberg in his natural habitat . . . behind the plate. Hackenberg accepted an invitation to play in Prep Baseball’s Future Games in Georgia this past July as part of the 19-man Michigan team.
by Kay Schten McAdam, Editor
Brock Woodhouse, WNN Reporter
Yogi Berra. Carlton Fisk. Mike Piazza. Mickey Cochrane. Buster Posey. Roy Campanella. Josh Gibson. Johnny Bench. Yadier Molina.
Being the catcher is the hardest job in baseball.
Of course, some will argue that being the pitcher is the hardest position; however, pitchers spend less time on the mound than catchers spend behind the plate. Catchers are responsible for knowing the hitting skills of opposing players, so they can relay appropriate calls to the pitcher. They need to be aware of their own pitchers’ skills and proclivities. They need to be aware of their defense at all times in addition to keeping runners at bay while keeping track of home plate. They need to have a heck of an arm to get the ball to the infield in a split second. They need to know the all the rules of the game and they have to be tough. Tough enough to squat over and over again, and take the occasional foul tip, aggressive base runner barreling home, or a missed swing from a batter. And all that gear. . .especially when it’s sweltering. And they need to be solid hitters.
Being noticed as a catcher, or a player in any position, is one of the hardest feats for a high school athlete.
17-year-old MHS junior Cale Hackenberg is being noticed.
Hackenberg had the privilege of being invited to Prep Baseball’s Future Games event in Georgia this past July as part of a 19-man roster of Michigan high school players.
In an interview with WNN’s Brock Woodhouse, Hackenberg described the invitation as “humbling.”
“It was an honor. It was kind of humbling. There were a lot of guys there who were impressive. Now I have a little more idea of where I need to be after watching some of those guys.”
WNN’s Brock Woodhouse, left, and Cale Hackenberg. Both are juniors this year at MHS and teammates on varsity football. -News Photo
While the Michigan team played a series of games, they were involved in a lot of skills events, too, which resulted in a lot of stats. (The only thing your editor can compare it to is maybe the NFL combine, which it may have felt like to the young ball players.)
In Woodhouse’s interview with Hackenberg, the WNN reporter stated, “You’ve accumulated quite a profile of stats. You have a 78% sweet spot percentage. An incredible 6.87 60-yard dash. Your best time from what I’ve seen is your pop time which, for those who don’t know, is from the time it hits Cale’s glove behind home plate and reaches either the 2nd baseman’s or shortstop’s mitt. Major league baseball average is about a 2.0 second pop time and Cale has about a 1.92. What kind of attention does that bring you?”
“Schools have interest but they’re not really looking at catcher’s yet in terms of offers or scholarships, so I’m just waiting for that time to come.”
That time will come. The Future Games is not merely a showcase of nationwide talent. It is the go-to preview of talent for college scouts from across the country. According to mom Nicki Hackenberg, who with sister Vicki Essex, chauffeured the young catcher to Georgia, there were college scouts everywhere.
The short list includes scouts from Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Notre Dame, UNC, and the BIG10. And that is a very short list. . .
Hackenberg’s experience in Georgia was just one of his summer baseball stories. Besides being a member of the B45 summer travel team, which he says provides a college-like team atmosphere, Hackenberg got to play on Doubleday Field in Cooperstown in August. His teammates in Cooperstown included MHS junior and fellow standout athlete Abram Coffey, and B45 teammate Conor Rentfrow. Can you imagine stepping onto that field as a player?
Hackenberg is in no apparent rush to transition from high school baseball to college. He knows he has work to do, but his goal remains constant: professional baseball and fulfilling a promise.
Hackenberg made a promise to his parents at eight years old. If he became a professional baseball player, he promised he “would get my mom a Camaro and somebody to clean her house.”
While Hackenberg expects to know which college he’ll attend by the end of next summer, Woodhouse reminded him that there is another sport in between.
“Last thing – baseball is a great sport and carries over to others like football. How does that carry over for you being quarterback?”
“I can throw the ball pretty well and move around pretty good. I just see things. I feel like I pick up on things that maybe some others wouldn’t.”
There’s one way to see for yourself. . . The Wildcats have seven home games this season: the first being at home Thursday, August 28, 7:00pm. Woodhouse is the big guy on the line; Hackenberg’s the one throwing the ball “pretty well.”
But which is more difficult, fellas, football or baseball?
“Baseball ain’t like football. You can’t make up no trick plays.” – Yogi Berra
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