Local athlete named All-State First Baseman

PLAINS – After dedicating his entire summer to baseball – living and breathing the sport, a local Plains athlete now has the title to show that his hard work paid off.

Jeremiah Crawford, a baseball fanatic, spent his summer playing on the Mission Valley Mariners, an American Legion team known for its strictness and dedication.

Throughout the summer months, the team played 60 plus games, playing teams from Wyoming, Washington, Canada and Idaho, among others.

“In June, I only got to sleep in my bed twice,” Crawford said.

Crawford spent a good chunk of his year and most of his summer in Polson, practicing and playing with the Mariners.

The dedication he showed is commendable as can be seen by the awards he won. Crawford walked away from the season named All-State First Baseman, beating out competitors on over 50 other teams.

But if the title of Montana’s All-State First Baseman isn't enough, Crawford also swept up the title of All Conference First Baseman, two offensive player awards, broke the homerun record, led the conference in home runs, had 75 RBIs, and won around 20 other medals in different tournaments that took place throughout the summer. And to add the final dash of victory on top, Crawford took home the overall MVP award at the end of the season banquet.

With all the talent he possesses, it's no wonder he got recruited to a junior college, with his tuition paid in full.

Crawford will be attending Dawson Community College in Glendive, Mont. this year and plans to finish out his two years working on his general education credits, while of course playing the one sport he loves most.

Playing since he was 12 years old, Crawford fell in love with baseball after one of his eight siblings advised him to play the sport. His older brother, Kris, told him to start playing baseball after taking to the sport himself.

Crawford did just that and became passionate about it. Although he also played football and basketball, baseball remained to be his favorite.

When asked how it feels to be named the All-State First Baseman, Crawford said it was just another goal he accomplished.

“It was one of my goals at the beginning of the year just because I knew I could. But it feels pretty good,” Crawford said.

But the thing about Crawford is although he knew he could pull off a personal victory like this and check it off the bucket list of achievements, Crawford remains humble, discussing his team, which he grew to consider as family.

He began playing for the Mariners this year, although he had known everyone on the team since he was 13 years old. The Mariners were more than a team to Crawford - they became a home away from home, a support system when he needed them. A group of people who understood exactly what he was feeling in those busy summer months in the prime of their baseball season.

From matching team haircuts to late nights at their coach’s house watching baseball and talking, it is apparent through Crawford’s words how close the team was.

With a chemistry that worked well together, the team soared through the competition, traveling all over from tournament to tournament, dishing out one victory after another.

Once the team got to districts, the Mariners were the number two team in the state, beating every team that later made it on to state. However, according to Crawford the team “choked” and went out 51 to 14.

“I think we just got burnt out because we won four or five tournaments and played a lot of games,” Crawford said.

The team did not reach their expectations this year, but Crawford said that the strong group of players will do even better next year.

“The Mariners are usually always the team to beat,” Crawford said. “Next year they will do way better.”

Losing only two players due to age, Crawford said the team will continue to excel.

While his team will be hard at work gearing up for next season, Crawford will be on a new team, with a new coach and almost all new teammates.

Three players from the Mariners will be joining him at Dawson Community College, part way continuing their legacy.

Bradley Pichler, TJ Olson and Kellen Hoyt will play for the same college, all of the athletes including Crawford, obtaining full ride scholarships to the division II school.

Fall ball will determine whether or not Crawford will start on the team – that period of time testing his skill, endurance and strength.

Although his future after this is unknown, he wants to continue riding the wave as long as he can, taking his baseball career as far as he is able.

Crawford reflects fondly on the time he spent with the Mariners. He gained not only a coach but a friend, and not only teammates but family.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Crawford said.