Brad Fitz follows the ball across country
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Brad Fitz needs to double-check which cap to wear, as he play baseball for several adult leagues. The pitcher traveled to Florid twice over the winter to play in tournaments.

Brad Fitz didn't have a chance. He was going to be a ballplayer.

He grew up in a sports-minded family, and spent some of his earliest days playing in the sand at Jerome King Playground while his dad pitched for the Greencastle A's. As a toddler, his parents gave him a baseball glove. They discovered he was left-handed when he took off the mitt to throw back the ball he just caught.

Then his folks, Bill and Nancy Fitz of Greencastle, enrolled the preschooler in an instructional league. So began his advancement through the ranks of T-ball, Little League, Pony and Colt League, high school and Legion ball, and even college-level play.

Now 24, Fitz embraces the game and isn't done. He competed on four adult leagues last year, earning trips to distant diamonds for tournament play. And he's looking forward to a bright future on the mound.

The pitcher

Fitz has primarily been a pitcher through the years.

"I pitched in Little League," he said. "I had success with it in high school and stuck with it. It's my favorite position next to first base."

He says he learned much from his dad.

"He has shown me a lot and taught me about pitching. He's right-handed so he demonstrates one way and I do it the opposite."

After graduating from Greencastle-Antrim High School in 2001, Fitz went to Shippensburg University. He played baseball for three years, sitting out one season for tendonitis of the shoulder.

As a senior, he was first out of the bullpen, and pitched 24 innings, including two starts.

Summers Fitz played for the Greencastle A's, following in his father's footsteps. In 2005 he also joined the Fayetteville A's. The teams were in separate leagues, and he played opponents such as Chambersburg, Mount Holly, Brunswick, and Frederick.

Last summer Greencastle lost to Brunswick in the championship series, but Fayetteville won its second consecutive title. Fitz played ball an average of four nights a week, and had to juggle his schedule to make sure he participated in at least five games per team to be eligible for playoffs.

"We worked everything out," he said, noting that Greencastle coaches Brian Gsell and Zach Barkdoll were accommodating.

Branching out

The Brunswick Orioles then asked Fitz to join its team for the regional playoffs in Salisbury. He pitched 6 2/3 innings in the semifinals and the team won the tournament.

That led to the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series in Louisville, Kentucky in August. Fitz threw nine innings in the first game for the win. The team finished third in the country.

The season could have been over, but just wasn't. The Brunswick coach invited Fitz to a November tournament in Tampa, Florida. He would play for Medtek Assault, a team based on the far side of Baltimore.

"I went to one practice with them," Fitz said. "I drove 120 miles for that."

He wasn't sure what to expect as a newcomer on the team. They utilized him as a pitcher and he started the first game, again a win.

"That was a metal bat tournament, and I didn't fare too badly," he said.

He went with the team to Tampa again in January. He's been enjoying the almost allexpenses paid trips. "Hopefully they'll call me again."

Fitz is back at Shippensburg University as a grad assistant. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in applied math and is seeking a masters in curriculum and instruction, as well as certification in secondary education. He plans to continue to play ball.

"Luckily school only goes to the middle of May. My big decision is who do I play for?"

The Greencastle A's is his first priority, and he'll stay with them as long as he can. If the other teams come calling, he'll try to fit them in. "I never honestly expected anything like this."

His number 17 jersey is packed away for a little while. The number is special to the family. Bill started the tradition, wearing that number as a high school football player. Whenever possible, Fitz and his siblings, Becky and Sean, chose #17 for their sports numbers. Nancy said she doesn't need a jersey, as her most athletic accomplishment is walking.

Fitz said that while his success is a bit overwhelming, it is due in part to the support of his family and teammates. He appreciates that his parents have attended most of his games his whole life.

"After every game, I always came off the field and hugged Mom. Dad would say 'good game' and then tell me how many walks I had."