A CLOSER LOOK (#3)

EZEQUIEL NINO

In our third installment of "A Closer Look", we feature a young man who has invested nearly half his life into the Lodi Reds Baseball Club!  To that, our organization feels extremely proud and loyal to him and his family! 

 

Ezequiel Nino (Zeke) began organized baseball at the age of 4 years old where he terrorized the ball (and the tee) at Oak Park in Stockton, CA.  He came to the Lodi Reds at the age of 10, where we quickly learned of his strength and charismatic spirit.

 

That charismatic spirit at a young age forced his coaching staff to begin to teach a more even-keel approach while on the diamond.  When asked what life lessons he has learned through the game of baseball, Zeke said, "Self-control and composure". 

 

While slowly learning self-control and composure at the age of 12, Zeke was quickly learning how to hit a baseball!  One of his fondest memories came while in Cooperstown, New York where he hit a grand slam home run in a playoff game.  Zeke was quick to add, "Yeah that was a bomb, but we still lost".  Sometimes we remember the tough tosses more than the easy wins!

 

Another memory of Zeke's came during  his 14 year old season, a season in which he was the Lodi Reds Coaches Choice Award winner.  Zeke recalls, "We were playing at Big League Dreams versus the MonStars and I had an 11 RBI game.  Four of the RBI's came on a Grand Slam over the BLD fence"!

 

But all memories aren't as cool as that one.  Zeke wasn't too bashful to share another memory on the field a couple of years ago.  "In my first game as a High School Freshman, I tried to dive for a ball at firstbase, and kinda scorpioned," Zeke said. 

 

Zeke is now a Junior at Lodi High School.  He is looking forward to playing in the Spring with his long time friends, many of which he still plays baseball with on the current Lodi Reds Baseball Club's 18U team.  One such teammate that Zeke mentioned as being one of his favorite all time teammates is Logan Stout.  The two of them along with many others will form a great team for Lodi in the Spring!

 

After high school, Zeke plans to major in Psycology and wants to continue to play baseball.  When asked where he sees himself in 20 years, Zeke smiled and said, "I will be 36 and ending my professional baseball career with the San Francisco Giants".

 

Zeke feels blessed that he has a great family at home and on the field.  He said, "My dream vacation would be to take my family to Hawaii.  I want to try surfing".  Something tells me that Zeke can do whatever he wants in life, including surfing!  He has made his family, teammates and coaches extremely proud of the young man that he has become.   We are so proud of you Zeke!  Thanks for being our teammate and friend! 

 

 

 

A CLOSER LOOK (#2)

DAWSON HAYRE

In our second installment of "A Closer Look", I was fortunate to catch up with another former Lodi Reds Baseball Club Player of the Year, Dawson Hayre. 

 

Dawson began playing baseball at 5 years old at the Tee Ball level.  The game of baseball made an impression on him as a young man and he continued to play for several years.  He began playing for the Lodi Reds as a 12U player.  It was that year in which he recalls a moment he never forgot.  "When I was on the 12U team, I kept asking the coach if I could catch but he would never let me.  Finally, when we were winning in a blowout game with only two innings left, he put me in to catch.  The other team ended up coming back and winning the game.  I never caught again".

 

But that didn't keep Dawson off of the diamond, as he continued to play baseball recreationally and with the Lodi Reds.  "Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard", Dawson said when asked what was the one life lesson he learned while playing with the Reds.  Indeed he worked hard, and his Player of the Year Award is evidence of that.  "My favorite Reds memory as a player was winning the Player of the Year award", Dawson said.  Another favorite memory was "winning two championships my last year with the Reds".  Those two championships came with his favorite all time teammate by his side, Taylor Knight.  "My all time favorite teammate is Taylor Knight because we always pushed each other to work harder and get better".

 

After high school, Dawson coached with the Reds for a season.  "My favorite memory as a coach was being able to help the young guys grow as baseball players but more importantly, grow as individuals and help show them how to carry themselves on and off the field". 

 

Dawson recently went on to Professional Umpire School where he finished toward the top of his class.  He then accepted a job to umpire Minor League baseball.  His season just ended, and he enrolled at Liberty University where he will pursue a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies.  He doesn't know what the future holds for him, but hopes to one day go to Hawaii on his dream vacation. 

 

No matter what Dawson chooses to do, he will be great, and will make those around him even better.  He has always been a tremendous teammate, player and quality young man, and we are lucky to have had the opportunity to have him as a player, coach and friend of the Lodi Reds Baseball Club!

 

 

 

A CLOSER LOOK (#1)

COLTON SALES

In our first installment of "A Closer Look", it was only fitting that we took a closer look into the life of our reigning Player of the Year, Colton Sales.

 

Colton began playing baseball at the age of 8 for Galt Youth Baseball.  Since 8 years old, he has played baseball and basketball with his favorite all time teammate and former Lodi Reds MVP Cameron Falcon.

 

Colton learned the game of baseball quickly and soon became an All Star.  One of his fondest baseball memories came during his 12 year old year.  "I threw a complete game no hitter to move on to the district championship", Colton said with a smile. 

 

But with the good also comes the bad.  When asked what his most embarrassing baseball moment was, he didn't hesitate with an answer.  "This year playing first base, the ball was hit to our shortstop.  He threw to me and the ball went right through my glove...the ball broke the laces on my glove."

 

Colton began playing with the Lodi Reds when he was 14.  He is now 18 and he just graduated high school at Liberty Ranch High School in Galt.  He will continue to play baseball at Shasta College for Head Coach Brad Rupert.  He plans to major in Criminal Justice as he hopes to one day become a Sheriff. 

 

When asked what life lesson comes to mind first that he learned though the game of baseball, Colton said "Hustle, Drive".  It is obvious that he lives his life with a lot of drive and hustle!  We here at the Lodi Reds Baseball Club are very proud of Colton Sales, and the man that he has become! 

 

As we finished our chat, I reminded Colton that every hard working man needs some fun in his life too, like a vacation.  When asked what his dream vacation is, he said "Canada...a goose hunt in Saskatchewan".  And that was the perfect way to end our conversation.  Like the the geese that head north every year, so too will Colton Sales.  As he heads up to Shasta College, he will be on our minds, and we wish him the best on his new adventure in life!  Thank you for being a great teammate Colton!