Game Changer

Moon Tigers pitcher Coleman Fletcher will be taking his signature changeup pitch to California University of PA.

Coleman Fletcher has racked up some amazing accomplishments on the Moon Area High School varsity baseball team. The left-handed pitcher has rotated between pitcher and first base throughout his high school years.

He was called to play on the varsity team early in his freshman year. In his junior year, he made Second Team, All Section as pitcher. He followed that up by making First Team, All Section his senior year as a two-way player, as pitcher and first baseman.

He also managed to play travel ball for the Pittsburgh Outlaws and Team Ohio Pro Select (TOPS). It’s not surprising Coleman was recruited by California University of Pennsylvania.

This is the first time he’ll be able to focus solely on his pitching game. “I enjoy playing first base, but it will be nice to focus entirely on the pitching aspect of the game,” he says.

As a starting pitcher, Coleman considers his changeup his best pitch, which appears to start deceptively fast, with a great fade-away that throws the timing off for many good batters. He can definitely throw some heat as well when the situation calls for it, with fastballs reaching 87 mph. He also has a slider and breaking ball in his repertoire and had an impressive .405 batting average.

As the saying goes, “Champions are made when no one is looking.” Coleman’s love for the game began with his father, Jeff, who was an athlete in football. Coleman’s mom, Anne, explains, ”His dad wasn’t a baseball player, but he knew enough about the game to help Coleman get started. He coached him in T-ball and Little League, starting at the age of 4. As Coleman progressed, he took a step back to let other more experienced coaches play the lead role, and he became an assistant coach.”

Coleman credits his father with nurturing his love for baseball, but says both parents have been incredibly supportive of his desire to play. “My parents have always encouraged me and have been my inspiration to play.

“My dad has only missed two or three games my entire life,” he adds.

Coleman would love to play pro ball someday, but for now he is squarely focused on being the best college player possible. He will continue conditioning for endurance, and lifting weight to increase his strength, which will likely make his fastball even faster.

He visited a couple of schools before deciding to play at California. “When I visited the campus, it just felt like home to me. I knew right away it was a good fit.”

Coleman’s mom couldn’t be more proud. “His coaches have always said he’s a smart player. He knows baseball, but he understands the strategy behind the game, and he worked on it. He’s had the perseverance to work through difficult times and never quit. No matter what he was handed to do, he always worked to excel in that position.

“And he’s become a leader and was elected as one of the team captains his senior year. He also accomplished it while remaining an honor student throughout. As a parent, I never had to worry about him doing his homework. We’re proud of both his athletic and academic accomplishments.”

Besides all the hard work and dedication, there’s also been a lot of enjoyment for Coleman. “The game’s fun, but the best part is the people you meet, the friendships you make with coaches and teammates throughout the years. The people around you pick you up and other times you pick them up. They keep you having fun with it.”

Congratulations to Coleman Fletcher on his remarkable accomplishments so far, and here’s to many more.