Catcher's dream fulfilled

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As the sun began to set over the ballpark, a then 12-year-old Andrew Giddens, who was in the midst of his final Majors Little League season, prepared to bid farewell to the field he had called home for the past four years.

It was there on the 60-foot base paths that Giddens strengthened his right arm throwing out base runners, perfected his slide and stepped into the batter’s box with the game on the line on more than one occasion.

He learned the importance of playing together as a team, and most importantly, he developed a routine he would later fall back on as he transitioned into one of the area’s most talented catchers.

Now five years later, the Lakewood Ranch High senior catcher is about to embark on his final high school season while also preparing to play at the collegiate level.

On Jan. 16, Giddens saw his dream come to fruition when he signed a national letter of intent to play baseball for Ave Maria University.

Giddens, who plans to major in physical therapy, chose Ave Maria over the University of North Florida for its atmosphere, small class size, tradition and passion.

“It’s exciting,” Giddens says. “I don’t have a lot of friends going to college for baseball. I feel gifted to be able to keep playing. I’m just happy to be a part of a great program with great coaches and a great history.”

A former soccer player, Giddens began playing baseball when he was 8 years old at the urging of one of his friends.

But it wasn’t until his final season on the small fields that the then 12-year-old hit his stride when he launched his first career home run.

“That sparked a moment for me,” Giddens says. “I had 12 home runs after that. It seemed like that season I hit a home run in every game.”

Following that season, Giddens elevated his level of play in hopes of making his high school baseball team.

Two years later, in the middle of his sophomore season, Giddens looked to former teammate Brad Zunica, who now plays for the University of Miami, for inspiration.

“He’s sort of been my role model,” Giddens says. “He was always going places and doing really well. That’s been my goal ever since.”

North Port pitcher Andrew Steele and Estero shortstop Ryan Keegan, who both play on Giddens’ SWFL travel baseball team, will join him at Ave Maria.

“It makes it more comfortable because we’ll get to experience college together and grow together,” Giddens says.

Giddens will be the second catcher on the Gyrenes’ roster behind Connor Sullivan, who won the Rawlings Gold Glove award and is considered a potential major league draft pick this season.

Following his signing, Giddens grabbed his glove and headed to the diamond to begin practicing with the Mustangs, who officially welcomed the start of the 2014 season last week.

In his final season with Lakewood, Giddens hopes to build off last year’s 9-15 season and return the Mustangs back to the Final Four.

“I want a state title and nothing less,” Giddens says. “It would just be an exclamation point to my high school career. It would be awesome.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].